Senate Confirms Fasina as Ambassador Amid Allegations

The Nigerian Senate confirmed Abayomi Fasina, a former vice-chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, as a non-career ambassador on Thursday, July 16, 2026, following a heated debate over unresolved sexual misconduct allegations. The confirmation proceeded despite objections from some lawmakers and calls from civil society groups to delay the process until ongoing court cases were concluded.

Senator Simon Lalong, presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of its chairman, stated the committee had found no legal basis to reject the nomination. He told the chamber that allegations against Fasina had been investigated by the university's governing council and the Nigerian Police Force, which found them unsubstantiated, and that the nominee had also been cleared by the Department of State Services. Based on these findings and Fasina's record, the committee recommended confirmation.

The recommendation faced immediate resistance. Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North where the university is located and had signed the committee report, urged further investigation, stating he was familiar with the case and that the complainant had not...