The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former sports minister Sani Ndanusa as Nigeria’s non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate, citing his qualifications, experience and contributions to public service.
The confirmation came after lawmakers considered a report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello, representing Niger North.
Presenting the report, Bello said, “We have thoroughly screened the nominee, and we are satisfied with his qualifications, exposure, conduct, character and experience.”
He added, “The nominee has a wide and in-depth knowledge of diplomacy.”
Ndanusa is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
He holds a master’s degree in Water and Waste Engineering from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
He has served as a senior engineer on several infrastructure projects in Nigeria and held political appointments as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development and later Commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development in Niger State.
Ndanusa was Minister of Sports from December 2008 to March 2010.
Also endorsing his nomination, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), said, “I have carefully perused the résumé of the nominee with regard to his educational background and contributions to society in public service.”
He added, “He is eminently qualified for that position, and he is a square peg in a square hole.”
The Senate subsequently considered and approved the nomination at the Committee of the Whole.
Congratulating Ndanusa, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said, “Let me use this opportunity to congratulate Ndanusa.
“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,”
