The Senate on Thursday confirmed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, as a non-career ambassadorial designate.
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello and presented by Senator Simon Lalong.
Presenting the report, Lalong said the committee had screened Fasina and recommended his confirmation for appointment as a Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, the recommendation sparked debate on the Senate floor, with some lawmakers opposing the nomination while others, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi, defended it.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee who had signed the committee’s report recommending Fasina’s confirmation, later voiced his opposition during plenary.
According to the committee, allegations against Fasina had been investigated by the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Governing Council and the Nigeria Police Force, both of which found no evidence to support the claims.
Addressing the chamber, Senate President Akpabio said the committee had also considered reports from the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the university council before making its recommendation. He urged senators to base their decisions on verified facts rather than speculation.
Fasina’s confirmation comes despite protests by a coalition of civil society organisations, which on July 7 staged a demonstration at the National Assembly, urging the Senate to reject his nomination.
The coalition cited allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation, claiming the matters are still pending before the courts.
The group argued that the Senate should have allowed the judicial process to be concluded before confirming Fasina, insisting that doing otherwise could undermine accountability and Nigeria’s international reputation.