More than 200 women’s rights organisations, civil society groups and gender advocates have petitioned the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, urging it to decline the confirmation of former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, as Nigeria’s ambassador pending the determination of criminal and civil cases against him.
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The petition, dated June 25, 2026, was addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello.
It was signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Co-Convener of Womanifesto, on behalf of over 200 organisations and prominent gender advocates.
The coalition argued that confirming Fasina while unresolved legal proceedings remain pending against him would undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, human rights, gender justice and institutional integrity.
According to the petitioners, the former university administrator is facing criminal and civil proceedings arising from allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, workplace victimisation, intimidation and human rights violations.
They alleged that one of the complaints relates to the alleged sexual harassment of a university staff member, which they said is supported by a 37-minute audio recording already before the courts.
The groups further stated that separate proceedings involving allegations of workplace victimisation and harassment are pending before the National Industrial Court in Abuja and Ikoyi.
They also claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigated complaints against Fasina and subsequently initiated criminal proceedings, which they said remain pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The petitioners referenced an earlier judgment against FUOYE under Fasina’s administration in the case of Akingbe v. FUOYE, marked NICN/AK/58/2018.
According to them, the National Industrial Court found that the university violated the claimant’s right to fair hearing and awarded ₦40 million in damages against the institution.
The coalition maintained that ambassadorial appointments require persons of unquestionable integrity because ambassadors serve as representatives of Nigeria’s identity, values and reputation before foreign governments and international organisations.
“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,” the petition stated.
The groups acknowledged that every accused person is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence, but argued that the Senate’s confirmation duty goes beyond determining criminal guilt.
They said lawmakers must also assess whether a nominee possesses the character, ethical standing and public credibility required to represent Nigeria abroad.
The petitioners warned that confirming a nominee facing unresolved criminal proceedings could weaken confidence in accountability institutions, particularly the ICPC, and send the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to fighting sexual harassment, gender-based violence and abuse of public office.
They cited Sections 34 and 42 of the Constitution, Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and national policies aimed at combating sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
The organisations urged the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to postpone consideration of Fasina’s nomination until all pending judicial proceedings have been finally determined.
“In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs decline to recommend the confirmation of Professor 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 petition read.
The signatories said the matter goes beyond an individual nomination and raises broader concerns about the rule of law, institutional integrity, gender justice and Nigeria’s international image.
Among the organisations that endorsed the petition are the Federation of Women Lawyers Nigeria, National Council of Women Societies, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Women Aid Collective, Women at Risk International Foundation, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Bring Back Our Girls, Yiaga Africa, Enough is Enough Nigeria, WIMBIZ, Stand to End Rape, and Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative.
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and several other civil society advocates also endorsed the petition.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu.
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