The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Abayomi Fasina, who recently stepped down as vice-chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, for appointment as a non-career ambassador. Senator Simon Lalong presented the report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello.
The chamber split over the decision. Some senators opposed Fasina's confirmation while others, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi, backed him.
Notably, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, a Foreign Affairs Committee member who signed off on the confirmation, spoke against clearing Fasina. The committee had investigated allegations against him and found them baseless, according to its report.
The committee noted that both the University Governing Council and Nigeria Police examined the claims and rejected them as false. The Senate President also revealed that investigators from the Department of State Services and the university council reviewed the matter.
Akpabio cautioned senators to approach the assignment with seriousness and not accept rumour as fact. "Discharge your assignment with respect and not rely on hearsay," he told them.
The confirmation came despite resistance from civil society groups. On July 7, 2026, activists stormed the National Assembly demanding the Senate block Fasina's nomination.
The coalition argued that Fasina faced allegations of sexual harassment, human rights abuses, and victimisation. They said his nomination threatened Nigeria's standing internationally and failed to protect workplace victims.
According to the protesters, pending cases against Fasina sat before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja. They urged lawmakers to let the courts finish their work before considering his confirmation.
The groups said their push aimed at ensuring accountability and shielding workers from harassment on the job. They emphasised that confirming Fasina would undermine efforts to safeguard Nigeria's reputation abroad.
