President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Minister of Sports, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, for appointment as a Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner.

The nomination was contained in a letter transmitted by the President to the Senate and read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. The nomination has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration, with the committee given two weeks to report back.  

Ndanusa brings extensive experience spanning engineering, public administration, infrastructure development and sports to the proposed diplomatic assignment.

A registered engineer with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Ndanusa is also 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 to the Federal Executive Council, Ndanusa served as a senior engineer on several infrastructure projects in Nigeria, building a professional career around engineering and public infrastructure.

He subsequently served in the Niger State Government as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development before later becoming Commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development.

His public service career culminated in a federal cabinet appointment when he became Minister of Sports in December 2008, a position he held until March 2010.  

Ndanusa also has a notable background in sports administration, particularly tennis. He served as Vice-President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation before becoming its President in 2001. He also served as Vice-President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and was elected Vice-President of the Confederation of African Tennis in 2003, retaining the position after his re-election in 2007.  

His combination of technical expertise, government experience and involvement in international sports administration has given him exposure to both national and international institutions.

The latest nomination therefore represents a return to public service at the federal level for the former minister, subject to the completion of the Senate screening and confirmation process.

The Senate is expected to consider Ndanusa’s credentials alongside other nominees forwarded by President Tinubu as part of the current process for filling diplomatic and statutory positions.

If confirmed, Ndanusa will assume the role of a Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner, bringing his experience in engineering, infrastructure, administration and sports to Nigeria’s diplomatic service.