Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Ex-FUOYE VC as Ambassador

Former university administrator’s nomination forwarded to Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening within one week

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) , as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate . The presidential communication was read during Wednesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and further legislative consideration .

President Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter transmitted to the upper legislative chamber, in which he noted that the nomination was made in line with constitutional provisions governing diplomatic appointments and urged lawmakers to consider the request expeditiously. “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. Whilst 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.”

After reviewing the letter, Akpabio submitted the nominee to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for review and future legislative action. The committee was tasked with conducting the requisite scrutiny of the nominee and submitting its report to the Senate within one week, clearing the way for a final confirmation vote by lawmakers. The nomination comes amid the Tinubu administration’s continuous attempts to expand Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, which includes the appointment of various career and non-career envoys to represent the country in critical overseas embassies.

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Professor Fashina served as Vice Chancellor of FUOYE from February 2021 to February 2026, completing a five-year tenure widely celebrated for its strategic reforms and institutional growth. Under his stewardship, the university expanded its academic footprint significantly, with the number of faculties increasing from eight to 18, while the student population grew from about 20,000 to over 60,000. His administration executed over 160 infrastructure projects, grew the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 310 per cent, and recorded gains in national demand and international visibility. He also documented his stewardship in a book titled ‘Holding the Rudder: My Years Steering FUOYE’, which chronicles his navigation of university administration between 2021 and 2026. Fashina, an erudite scholar and distinguished professor of soil science, previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Ekiti State University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) at FUOYE before assuming the VC role.

Under Nigeria’s constitution, ambassadorial nominees must be screened and confirmed by the Senate before taking office. The process usually includes an evaluation of their professional background, public service record, competence, and aptitude for diplomatic posts. Non-career ambassadors are typically chosen from outside the country’s professional foreign service, including academics, politics, public administration, commerce, and other fields where they have exhibited remarkable service and leadership. Fashina, an academic and administrator, is well-known in Nigeria’s higher education industry, and his nomination is expected to draw legislative scrutiny during the screening process, when senators would assess his qualifications and readiness to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.

If confirmed, Fashina will join a growing number of ambassadorial appointees tasked with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, strengthening bilateral relations, and promoting the country’s economic and diplomatic interests in the international community. The Senate’s examination of the nomination is likely to be completed after the Foreign Affairs Committee sends its report to the chamber next week. Upon completion of the committee’s scrutiny and submission of its report, the full Senate will hold a confirmation vote on the nomination. If confirmed, Fashina will join Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, representing the country’s interests abroad and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Ex-FUOYE VC as Ambassador

2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially announced Thursday, July 9, 2026, as the passing-out date for 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members across the country, marking the completion of their mandatory one-year national service.

The announcement was contained in a statement shared on the scheme’s official X platform on Wednesday and signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.

According to the statement, activities leading to the passing-out ceremony commenced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with a series of programmes designed to prepare outgoing corps members for life after national service.

The pre-passing-out activities include Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) sessions organised by the NYSC in collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. The initiative is aimed at equipping corps members with entrepreneurial skills, career guidance and employment opportunities as they transition into the labour market.

The scheme also disclosed that corps members are undergoing registration and clearance by Local Government Inspectors (LGIs), while Zonal Inspectors are responsible for signing final clearance documents ahead of the issuance of Certificates of National Service.

According to the NYSC, only corps members who have successfully completed all statutory requirements of the national service programme, including their primary assignments, Community Development Service (CDS) obligations and final clearance procedures, will receive their certificates.

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“The Management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approved Thursday, July 9, 2026, as the passing-out date for the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps Members.

“The series of activities heralding the event commenced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and include Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) by the NYSC and other relevant agencies, registration and clearing of corps members by Local Government Inspectors, as well as the signing of final clearance by the Zonal Inspectors,” the statement said.

The scheme added that the passing-out exercise will be conducted on a low-key basis nationwide, with the presentation of Certificates of National Service (CNS) taking place at local government offices across the country rather than through elaborate state-level ceremonies.

“The low-key event will feature the distribution of Certificates of National Service to only the deserving corps members in all the Local Government Areas of the country,” the statement added.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, congratulated the outgoing corps members for successfully completing their service year and urged them to remain disciplined, patriotic and committed to national development.

He encouraged them to uphold the ideals of the NYSC by serving as responsible ambassadors of the scheme in their workplaces, communities and future endeavours.

The NYSC’s Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) programme has become a key component of the winding-up exercise, connecting outgoing corps members with employers, financial institutions and entrepreneurship support agencies to promote self-employment and reduce graduate unemployment.

The July 9 passing-out ceremony will officially bring to an end the service year for thousands of corps members deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, paving the way for them to pursue careers, higher education and entrepreneurial opportunities.

2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide

BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday commenced one of the most significant constitutional voting exercises since the return to democratic rule in 1999, as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, several APC governors, and state Attorneys-General converged on the Red Chamber to witness deliberations on the proposed State Police and other far-reaching constitutional amendments.

The high-profile attendance immediately drew attention, with observers describing the session as a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest to reform its security architecture and strengthen its federal system.

Among those present were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, as well as Attorneys-General from several states, including Anambra and Akwa Ibom.

Although some senators reportedly raised concerns over admitting non-members into the chamber during such a crucial legislative exercise, Senate leadership eventually approved their presence to observe the proceedings.

Senate Holds Closed-Door Session Before Voting

The constitutional amendment exercise was initially scheduled to begin immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.

However, proceedings were delayed after lawmakers entered a closed-door session lasting more than one hour following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

The executive session was understood to have focused on procedural matters ahead of voting on multiple constitutional amendment bills.

Akpabio Describes Vote as a Defining Moment

Addressing senators before the executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged lawmakers to put national interest above politics, describing the constitutional review as a landmark exercise that could reshape Nigeria’s governance and security framework.

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According to Akpabio, the decisions reached during the debate would influence policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations for generations.

“The decisions we take will have the potential to shape the future of policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.

Electronic Voting Debuts for Constitutional Amendments

In a significant departure from the Senate’s traditional voice vote system, lawmakers adopted electronic voting for the constitutional amendment process.

The new system digitally records every senator’s vote, displays the results on electronic screens and produces printed records, a move aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The chamber conducted successful test runs before voting commenced, marking the first constitutional amendment exercise under the 10th Senate to use the technology.

State Police Proposal Dominates Deliberations

The most anticipated proposal before lawmakers is the establishment of State Police Services, a constitutional amendment strongly backed by the Tinubu administration as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Supporters argue that decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts, while allowing states to address security issues more effectively.

If approved by the National Assembly, the amendment will still require endorsement by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Critics Warn Against Potential Abuse

Despite growing support, critics continue to express concerns that state police structures could be exploited by governors for political purposes, particularly during election periods.

These concerns have fueled calls for constitutional safeguards to ensure operational independence, accountability and federal oversight.

Other Major Constitutional Reforms Before the Senate

Beyond the State Police Bill, senators are also considering several landmark constitutional amendments, including:

• Placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional first-line charge for guaranteed funding.
• Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
• Introducing independent candidacy for governorship, legislative and local government elections.
• Establishing an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
• Mandating courts to commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment where pregnancy is established.
• Prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies in line with constitutional protections of human dignity and the presumption of innocence.

Historic Constitutional Exercise Underway

With senior Presidency officials, governors and legal experts observing from the gallery, all eyes remain on the Senate as lawmakers decide the fate of some of the most ambitious constitutional reforms proposed since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

The outcome of the vote is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s security architecture, governance system and democratic institutions, particularly the long-debated push for State Police.

BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber