President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner-designate.
The President’s formal request was contained in an official correspondence read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary session.
In the letter, President Tinubu noted that the nomination aligns strictly with constitutional provisions governing diplomatic appointments, urging the upper legislative chamber to grant the request expedited consideration.
In accordance with the provisions of section 121, subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.
President Bola Tinubu’s letter stated.
Following the presentation of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening. The committee has been mandated to review the nominee’s credentials and submit its comprehensive report back to the Senate within one week for a final confirmation vote.
This latest nomination forms part of the Tinubu administration’s ongoing strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s foreign missions. The administration continues to deploy a mix of career and non-career envoys to advance the nation’s geopolitical and economic interests globally.
As a non-career nominee, Prof. Fashina brings a wealth of experience from academia and public administration. Under Nigeria’s legislative framework, the upcoming screening process will evaluate his professional background, leadership record, and overall suitability to champion Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
Prof. Fashina is a distinguished academic and administrator who recently concluded his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). If confirmed by the Senate, he will transition into the diplomatic corps, where he is expected to strengthen bilateral relations, foster international partnerships, and vigorously promote Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests on the world stage.
The Senate is expected to conclude the confirmation process next week following the submission of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report.
