President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of former Federal University Oye Ekiti vice chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina, to the Senate for confirmation as a non career ambassador and high commissioner designate. The nomination was announced during plenary and referred immediately to the appropriate legislative committee for screening.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the presidential letter to lawmakers and subsequently directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to conduct the necessary scrutiny of the nominee and return its report to the chamber within one week, after which a final confirmation vote would be held.

In the letter, Tinubu cited constitutional provisions governing diplomatic appointments as the basis for the nomination. "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," the letter reads. "Attached herewith is the nominee's curriculum vitae."

The President also urged the Senate to act promptly on the request. "I hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest consideration," Tinubu added.

Fashina, a seasoned academic and administrator, is widely recognised within Nigeria's higher education sector for his tenure at the helm of the Federal University Oye Ekiti. His nomination follows an established pattern under the Tinubu administration of drawing ambassadorial candidates from academia, public administration, and other professional fields outside the career foreign service.

Under Nigeria's constitutional framework, all ambassadorial nominees must pass through Senate screening before assuming office. The process typically involves an assessment of professional background, public service record, and suitability for diplomatic assignments.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to submit its report to the chamber within the week, clearing the path for lawmakers to vote on Fashina's confirmation. If approved, he will join the list of envoys tasked with advancing Nigeria's bilateral relations and foreign policy interests across designated missions abroad.