Engineer Sani Mohammed Ndanusa has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate, following his confirmation by the Senate as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Engineer Ndanusa’s confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during plenary on Tuesday.
The development marks a new chapter in the career of the former Minister of Youths, Sports and Social Development, who has served Nigeria in various public and sports administration capacities.
Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Sani Abubakar Bello, who represents Niger North, said the committee was satisfied with Ndanusa’s qualifications, professional experience, character and knowledge of diplomacy after screening the nominee. Bello subsequently recommended that the Senate confirm his nomination for appointment as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.
Supporting the nomination, Senator Tahir Monguno, who represents Borno North and serves as Chief Whip of the Senate, described Ndanusa as eminently qualified for the position, citing his educational background and contributions to public service. Monguno moved a motion for the Senate to resolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report, which was adopted following a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Following the confirmation, Akpabio congratulated Ndanusa and expressed confidence in his ability to discharge the responsibilities of his new assignment effectively. In response, Ndanusa expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, acknowledging the opportunity to serve the country in a new capacity.
“I am equally grateful to the Nigerian Senate for the thorough consideration of my nomination and its eventual confirmation. This endorsement is a call to greater service, and I do not take the responsibility lightly,” Engineer Ndanusa said in his after the confirmation.
“I am truly honoured with the kind words used by the Nigerian Senate, especially the words spoken by president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. It is indeed an honour to get the opportunity to serve the Nigerian nation and I will give my best to represent Nigeria in the most noble way.
“This confirmation by the Nigerian Senate is a commitment to more hard work and I vow that deploy all my potentials and abilities to serve Nigeria with all my strength and be loyal to the country at all times”, added Ndanusa, a former minister of Sports, President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee and President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
Born in 1957, Engineer Ndanusa has built a career spanning engineering, public administration and sports governance.
In December 2008, former President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed him Minister of Youths, Sports and Social Development and chairman of the National Sports Commission. He left office in March 2010 when then-acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.
Engineer Ndanusa also served as Niger State Commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development, earning recognition for his role in the state’s infrastructural development.
Beyond public service, he has held several leadership positions in tennis administration, serving as vice-president of the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) for four years before becoming its president in 2001.
Engineer Ndanusa was also vice-president of the Nigeria 2008 Olympic Committee and was elected vice-president of the Confederation of African Tennis in April 2003, before securing re-election in 2007.
His ambassadorial confirmation adds another responsibility to a career marked by service in government and sports administration.