The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Minister of Sports, Sani Ndanusa, as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate of Nigeria, following the approval of his nomination after a review of his qualifications, professional experience and record in public service.
The confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello (Niger North).
Presenting the report, Bello said the committee was satisfied with Ndanusa’s credentials and suitability for the diplomatic assignment.
“We have thoroughly screened the nominee, and we are satisfied with his qualifications, exposure, conduct, character and experience,” he said.
He added that Ndanusa possessed a strong understanding of diplomacy, noting that “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.
Before his appointment as a minister, Ndanusa worked as a senior engineer on several infrastructure projects in Nigeria. He also served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development and later as Commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development in Niger State.
He was appointed Minister of Sports in December 2008 and served until March 2010.
Also supporting his nomination, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), said Ndanusa’s educational background and contributions to public service demonstrated his suitability for the position.
“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 diplomatic assignment, adding that “he is a square peg in a square hole.”
The Senate subsequently approved the nomination at the Committee of the Whole.
Congratulating Ndanusa on his confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed hope that he would bring the same level of commitment to his new assignment as he had demonstrated in previous roles.
“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,” Akpabio said.
