The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria despite objections from some lawmakers and protests by civil society organisations over his nomination.
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The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, representing Niger North.
Presenting the report during plenary, the committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Simon Lalong, representing Plateau South, urged the chamber to approve Fasina’s nomination.
Lalong said: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the confirmation of the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina for appointment as Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Consideration of the report divided the chamber, with some senators raising reservations about the nomination while others supported the committee’s recommendation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, were among those who backed Fasina’s confirmation.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, also raised objections during the debate despite being a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and signing the report recommending the nominee’s confirmation.
The committee, however, maintained that allegations previously made against Fasina had been investigated by relevant authorities, including the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the committee, the investigations did not substantiate the allegations.
“The accusation against Professor Fasina was investigated by competent authorities, including the University Governing Council and the Nigeria Police, which both found the allegation false,” the report stated.
Supporting the committee’s position, Akpabio urged senators to rely on verified reports and evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims.
“Honourable senators, we must take our assignments with respect and must not rely on hearsay,” the Senate President said.
The chamber subsequently adopted the committee’s recommendation and confirmed Fasina for appointment as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner.
Fasina’s confirmation came about a week after a coalition of civil society organisations protested at the National Assembly and asked the Senate to suspend consideration of his nomination.
The protesters cited allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation, which they said were connected to cases pending before courts.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, legal practitioner Adeyemo Amira urged the Senate to allow the courts to determine the matters before proceeding with the confirmation.
She said cases involving the nominee were pending before divisions of the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja.
The coalition maintained that confirming Fasina while the cases remained unresolved could undermine public confidence in the screening process.
The allegations remain disputed and have not been established by a final court judgment.
President Bola Tinubu had forwarded Fasina’s name and those of other ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
The nominations were part of efforts to fill Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, many of which had remained without substantive ambassadors for several months.
Following the Senate’s confirmation, Fasina’s appointment is expected to proceed subject to the completion of the necessary executive and diplomatic processes.
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