A group of women’s associations under the banner of Womanifesto have petitioned the National Assembly, requesting that it decline to confirm Prof. Abayomi Fasina as an ambassador.
In the petition to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Bello, the petitioners, comprising over about 500 women, said that the call became necessary pending the determination of ongoing criminal and civil proceedings arising from allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, human rights violation and victimisation against the ambassadorial nominee.
The organisation, with its civil society partners in Nigeria and around the world, emphasised that Fasina, a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, is not fit to be nominated for the ambassadorial role.
The letter by the convener of the group, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, alleged that Fasina lacks integrity and impeccable conduct, stressing that appointing him an ambassador may expose the country to international ridicule and undermine its reputation in the global community.
The statement read: ‘We recognise and thank you for your work in the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs pursuant to the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the screening and confirmation of ambassadorial nominees.
‘We are deeply concerned about the nomination of the ex-FUOYE VC, Mr Abayomi Fasina, for an ambassadorial role for our nation. It is our carefully considered opinion, based on several allegations, including ongoing criminal and civil cases against Mr. Abayomi Fasina that he is not an appropriate candidate for such a position’, the petition stated.
‘It is trite that an ambassador serves as a representative of a nation’s identity and values. Given this important role, any candidate for an ambassadorial position must embody the highest standards of integrity and impeccable conduct.
‘Where there is a substantial possibility that a candidate lacks integrity, appointing such an individual as an ambassador may expose our nation to international ridicule and undermine its reputation in the global community.
‘The allegations against Abayomi Fasina include, but are not limited to: a) sexual harassment against a staffer, substantiated by a 37-minute audio evidence, which currently underscores the case at the National Industrial Court, Abuja; b) harassment and victimisation against a female staffer at the National Industrial Court, Ikoyi.
‘In addition, there is a judgement against Abayomi Fasina’s administration in the case of Akingbe v FUOYE (NICN/AK/58/2018), where a panel, led by Fasina, was indicted by the court for breaching the claimant’s right to a fair hearing and alleging that he committed self-plagiarism, an academic offence alien to law, without any proof. Damages were awarded against the Fasina-led institution to the tune of N40 million.
‘The purpose of this petition, therefore, is to invite the committee’s attention to the material facts and public-interest considerations arising from the nomination of Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), and to respectfully urge the committee to decline consideration of his confirmation pending the final determination of ongoing criminal and civil proceedings relating to allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, human rights violation, victimisation, intimidation, and related misconduct.
‘This petition concerns whether, having regard to the totality of circumstances presently surrounding the nominee, confirmation at this time is consistent with the constitutional principles of accountability, integrity in public office, public confidence in democratic institutions, and Nigeria’s domestic and international obligations relating to human rights.
‘During his tenure as Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, serious allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of authority, human rights violation, victimisation, intimidation, and retaliatory conduct were publicly raised against Professor Abayomi Fasina. These allegations were accompanied by overwhelming evidence, including a 37-minute audio recording attached to this petition.
‘The allegations generated widespread public concern and attracted the intervention of civil society organisations, labour actors, women’s rights organisations, professional bodies, and members of the public’.
The petition recalled that efforts were made to secure administrative accountability through institutional and governmental channels, including engagement with relevant authorities and government agencies, such as the Federal Ministry of Education, the House of Representatives Committee on Universities, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
It added: ‘Concerns were subsequently raised regarding the adequacy, independence, and fairness of institutional responses to the allegations, including allegations of victim-blaming and failure to adequately address issues of abuse of authority and sexual harassment. Following petitions and complaints submitted to the ICPC, the Commission undertook investigations into the matter.
‘Upon conclusion of its investigation, the ICPC commenced criminal proceedings against Prof. Fasina. Those proceedings remain pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
‘In addition, proceedings relating to allegations of sexual harassment and workplace victimisation involving Professor Fasina are currently pending before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria by different female victims across the Ikoyi and Abuja Divisions.
‘These proceedings remain unresolved, and notwithstanding the foregoing, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has nominated Prof. Abayomi Fasina for appointment as Ambassador, and the nomination has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
‘The principal issue before the committee is whether it is consistent with the constitutional responsibilities of the Senate and the public interest to confirm an individual for appointment as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while such an individual remains the subject of unresolved criminal and civil proceedings involving allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of authority, human rights violation, victimisation, and related misconduct.
‘Ambassadorial appointments are public trust appointments requiring the highest standards of integrity and public confidence. An ambassador acts as the official representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before foreign governments, international organisations, and the global community.
‘Such appointments necessarily require technical competence, unquestionable public credibility, ethical standing, and the confidence of both domestic and international stakeholders.
‘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.
‘However, the constitutional presumption of innocence is a criminal-law safeguard against premature findings of guilt. It does not compel the Senate to ignore relevant facts bearing on public confidence, suitability for office, or institutional integrity.
‘The Senate is, therefore, indeed obligated to consider whether unresolved proceedings of this nature create sufficient public-interest concerns to warrant withholding confirmation until the matters are finally determined. The latter is in light of the implications of these weighty allegations to the image of our dear country, Nigeria. Especially since Prof Abayomi Fasina will be the country’s flag-bearer in another country.
‘The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is a statutory institution charged with investigating and prosecuting abuses of public office and related misconduct.
‘Where an individual who is actively facing criminal proceedings initiated by such an institution is simultaneously elevated to one of the highest diplomatic offices of the Federal Republic, there is a substantial risk that public confidence in accountability mechanisms will be diminished.
‘The appearance created may be that accountability processes are incapable of producing meaningful consequences for politically connected or influential individuals. Public confidence in anti-corruption and accountability institutions is a legitimate consideration that the Senate cannot ignore.
‘A confirmation would send an adverse signal regarding Nigeria’s commitment to combating sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. Nigeria has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to addressing sexual harassment, gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and abuse of authority.
‘These commitments are reflected in: (a) Sections 34 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), )The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Various national policies and legislative initiatives directed at addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
‘In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs decline to recommend the confirmation of Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the Senate’s consideration of the nomination reflects the constitutional principles of accountability, integrity, transparency, and public confidence in governance.
‘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.
‘Most importantly, it concerns whether the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will exercise its constitutional responsibility in a manner that preserves public trust in democratic institutions.
‘For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Committee to reject the confirmation of Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina pending the final determination of all proceedings presently before competent courts’.
In late 2024, Fasina was accused of sexual harassment and victimisation by Folashade Adebayo, a female senior lecturer at FUOYE.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) also accused Fasina of inappropriate conduct towards the lecturer.
The union alleged that Fasina had made advances toward the senior lecturer, then removed her from office after she declined the overtures.
The allegations triggered calls for a probe into the university’s financial and administrative operations under Fasina’s leadership.
The university council later set up a committee to investigate the matter and subsequently cleared the VC of the allegations.
In a statement on 9 April 2025, the university Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, who is also the Secretary of the Governing Council, said that the accused Vice Chancellor had been cleared of all allegations.
He said that Adebayo had been directed to write a letter of apology to the council within seven days.
An audio recording purportedly capturing interactions between Adebayo and the accused VC was presented as evidence in the sexual harassment allegations.
Ibrahim said the council agreed that the recording was used as a tool to blackmail Fasina to confirm Adebayo as substantive Director of Works and Services, which he had no authority to do.
Ibrahim said: ‘The alleged audio recordings were listened to by all council members with the assistance of a translator, and it was discussed exhaustively.
‘Council directed that Adebayo be warned for bringing the name of the university to disrepute. She is directed to write a letter of apology to the council within seven days’.
The council expressed worry over the handling of the matter by the management of the university, which gave Adebayo preferential treatment by backdating her promotion to 2015 in 2024.
The council warned the management to desist from such acts to avoid irregularities in the future promotion of the university’s staff.
The council directed management to review Adebayo’s backdated promotion.
It said that the position for a substantive Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services of the university would be advertised.
