Despite Protests, Senate Clears Ex-FUOYE VC Fasina as Ambassador

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Abayomi Fasina, as a non-career ambassadorial nominee despite objections from some lawmakers and earlier protests by civil society groups. The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during plenary in Abuja.

The committee, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, submitted its report through Senator Simon Lalong, recommending Fasina’s confirmation after reviewing his nomination. According to the committee, investigations conducted by the university’s Governing Council and the Nigeria Police found no evidence to support the allegations previously made against him.

After the report was presented, the nomination generated debate on the Senate floor. While some senators opposed the confirmation, others supported it. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi backed the committee’s recommendation, while Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke against the confirmation despite being among those who signed the committee’s report.

Akpabio told lawmakers that the Senate had received security and investigative reports from the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services and the university council. He urged senators to rely on verified findings while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities rather than basing decisions on unverified claims.

The confirmation comes days after a coalition of civil society organisations staged a protest at the National Assembly, urging the Senate to reject Fasina’s nomination. The protesters argued that allegations of sexual harassment, victimisation and human rights violations against the former university administrator should prevent his confirmation until the courts conclude the pending cases.

The coalition maintained that the legal matters involving Fasina were still before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja. The group said allowing the judicial process to run its full course before confirming the nomination would protect accountability, support victims of workplace harassment and safeguard Nigeria’s international image.

Despite the concerns raised by the protesters and some lawmakers, the Senate accepted the committee’s findings and approved Fasina’s appointment as one of Nigeria’s non-career ambassadors.