The Senate has confirmed former Minister of Sports, Sani Ndanusa, as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner-designate of Nigeria following a review of his credentials and public service record.
The confirmation was announced on Tuesday after lawmakers considered a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, representing Niger North.
Presenting the committee’s findings, Bello said the panel was satisfied with Ndanusa’s qualifications, character, professional exposure and experience.
“We have thoroughly screened the nominee, and we are satisfied with his qualifications, exposure, conduct, character and experience,” he said.
The committee chairman further noted that Ndanusa possessed extensive knowledge of diplomacy.
Ndanusa, a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He holds a master’s degree in Water and Waste Engineering from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.
Before his appointment as sports minister, Ndanusa worked as a senior engineer on several infrastructure projects and served in the Niger State Government as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, as well as Commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development.
He served as Nigeria’s Minister of Sports from December 2008 to March 2010.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Nominates New INEC Commissioners, Seeks Senate Approval
Supporting the nomination, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, said Ndanusa’s academic background and contributions to public service demonstrated his suitability for the diplomatic assignment.
“I have carefully perused the résumé of the nominee with regard to his educational background and contributions to society in public service,” Monguno said.
He described Ndanusa as eminently qualified for the position, adding that he was “a square peg in a square hole.”
The Senate subsequently approved the nomination during a session of the Committee of the Whole.
Congratulating the former minister, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence in his ability to carry out the assignment and wished him wisdom in his new role.
“I wish him well in his current assignment, and I hope that God will grant him more wisdom to do as he has done in other engagements,” Akpabio said.