- Amid sexual harassment scandal
The Senate is facing mounting pressure to reject the ambassadorial nomination of former Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, over unresolved sexual harassment and abuse-of-office allegations.
A coalition of more than 300 civil society organisations and activists has petitioned the Senate to withhold his confirmation until all criminal and civil cases against him are finally determined by competent courts.
300 groups sign petition to Akpabio
The petition, dated June 25, 2026, was signed by the Co-convener of Womanifesto, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, on behalf of the coalition. It was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, ahead of the screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Prominent signatories include former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; FIDA Nigeria; Yiaga Africa; Bring Back Our Girls; Enough is Enough, EiE Nigeria; WARDC; WACOL; Project Alert on Violence Against Women; Stand to End Rape, STER; WIMBIZ; NCWS; WRAPA; WARIF; WOCON; WEP; Baobab for Women’s Human Rights; TMG; and Women Wing, among others.
Africans & Diaspora
Copies were also sent to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The coalition urged the Committee to decline recommending Fasina’s confirmation “pending the final determination of all proceedings presently before competent courts.”
Allegations and legal status
The petition listed allegations against Fasina to include sexual harassment of a female staff member, abuse of office, workplace victimisation, intimidation, human rights violations, and retaliatory conduct during his tenure at FUOYE.
It said one of the sexual harassment allegations is supported by a 37-minute audio recording, which forms part of evidence before the National Industrial Court.
The groups also cited ongoing criminal proceedings instituted by the ICPC and separate civil suits on sexual harassment and victimisation pending before the National Industrial Court in Abuja and Ikoyi.
They further referenced Akingbe v. FUOYE (NICN/AK/58/2018), where the court held that FUOYE, under Fasina’s administration, breached a claimant’s right to fair hearing over an unproven self-plagiarism charge, and awarded N40 million in damages.
Ambassadors must meet a higher standard
While noting the constitutional presumption of innocence, the coalition argued that ambassadorial appointments require a higher threshold of integrity because ambassadors represent Nigeria’s values and international image.
“It is trite that an ambassador serves as a representative of a nation’s identity and values. Given this important role, any candidate must embody the highest standards of integrity and impeccable conduct,” the petition stated.
The groups warned that confirming a nominee with unresolved sexual harassment and abuse-of-office allegations could expose Nigeria to international embarrassment and weaken public confidence in institutions.
They added that confirmation would send “an adverse signal” on Nigeria’s commitment to tackling sexual harassment and gender-based violence, contrary to Sections 34 and 42 of the Constitution and CEDAW obligations.
Fasina denies wrongdoing; supporters push back
Fasina has consistently denied the allegations. While in office at FUOYE, he said he did not sexually harass the complainant and challenged the ICPC’s investigation in court.
In April 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted him an interim order restraining the ICPC from arresting or taking further action pending the hearing of his suit challenging the investigation.
A pro-Fasina group, FUOYE Progressives, comprising students, alumni, and staff, has dismissed the campaign as “politically motivated.”
Its spokesperson, Dr. Kehinde Alao, said the allegations had been investigated and that Fasina was cleared. According to him, probes by the police and two successive Governing Councils, including one chaired by former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Senate urged to weigh character, not just eligibility
The coalition argued that the Senate’s constitutional role goes beyond verifying formal qualifications to assessing a nominee’s character, judgment, and public credibility.
Law Enforcement
“The Senate’s constitutional role in the confirmation process is not limited to verifying formal eligibility. It extends to assessing whether a nominee possesses the integrity, character, judgment and public standing necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the office,” it said.
The groups concluded: “The issue before this Committee concerns public confidence in the rule of law. It concerns the credibility of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, human rights and dignity, gender equality and institutional integrity. For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Committee to reject the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina pending the final determination of all proceedings presently before competent courts.”