Senate confirms ex-FUOYE VC as ambassador despite sexual harassment allegations

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Abayomi Fasina, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), as a non-career ambassador. The confirmation came via a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole, following a screening by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

However, the decision faced opposition from some Nigerians and civil society organizations (CSOs) who had called for the withdrawal of Fasina's nomination. These groups cited allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations, and victimisation against him, which are reportedly subjects of ongoing litigation before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja. A coalition of CSOs even staged a protest at the National Assembly entrance on July 7, urging the Senate to await court rulings before confirming his appointment.

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The accusation against Professor Fasina was investigated by competent authorities, including the university governing council and the Nigerian Police, and they both found the allegations to be false.

Concerns were also raised by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which reported allegations that Fasina sexually harassed a former colleague, Folasade Adebayo. FIJ also reported that the university's Governing Council had directed Fasina to apologize to the complainant.

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The nominee had been cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS). The nominee had been cleared by the Nigerian Police.

During the Senate plenary, Senator Simon Lalong presented the committee's screening report. He stated that allegations against Fasina had been investigated by competent authorities, including the university's governing council and the Nigerian Police, who both found them to be false. Lalong added that Fasina had been cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police, and that no court judgment or documentary evidence presented to the committee established the alleged offenses. He recommended Fasina's confirmation, calling the allegations baseless.

Despite the committee's findings, some senators expressed reservations. Senator Cyril Fasuyi noted that the complainant had personally approached him, urging the Senate to suspend the nomination pending a fresh probe. He stated that the woman had shared her account with him.

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The woman approached and told me everything that happened, but this woman did not get jud