The Nigerian Senate has confirmed FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Fasina as a non-career ambassadorial designate, despite opposition from some lawmakers and civil society groups, following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during Thursday’s plenary.
Key Highlights:
- Senate confirms FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Fasina as a non-career ambassador.
- Confirmation followed the adoption of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs report.
- Nomination sparked debate, with some senators raising objections.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio says DSS, Police and FUOYE Governing Council reports cleared Fasina.
- Committee says investigations found no evidence to support previous allegations.
- Civil society groups opposed the nomination, citing pending court cases and accountability concerns.
Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Sani Bello, represented by Senator Simon Lalong, informed lawmakers that Professor Abayomi Fasina, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), successfully underwent the required screening and was found qualified for appointment as Nigeria’s Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner.
The confirmation, however, generated intense debate on the Senate floor, with some lawmakers questioning the suitability of the nominee despite the committee’s recommendation.
One of the committee members, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who had earlier endorsed the report, later expressed reservations during plenary and raised objections to the confirmation.
Responding to the concerns, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the committee based its recommendation on reports from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
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Akpabio urged senators to rely on verified findings rather than allegations that had not been substantiated through official investigations.
According to the committee, investigations conducted by the university’s governing council and the police found no evidence to support allegations previously made against Fasina.
The confirmation comes despite protests by a coalition of civil society organisations, which demonstrated at the National Assembly on July 7, urging the Senate to reject the nomination.
The protesters cited allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation, arguing that the matters remain before the courts and should be resolved before any diplomatic appointment is approved.
They further contended that confirming Fasina before the conclusion of the judicial process could undermine public confidence in accountability and potentially affect Nigeria’s international image.
Despite the objections, the Senate proceeded with the confirmation, paving the way for Professor Abayomi Fasina to serve as one of Nigeria’s non-career ambassadors.
