A collection of civil society groups has formally asked President Bola Tinubu to rescind the nomination of Professor Abayomi Fasina, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, for an ambassadorial post. In a Friday announcement, the coalition pointed to persistent legal challenges and claims against the academic.
The organizations argued that moving forward with this nomination while court matters are active might weaken trust in the government’s dedication to rule of law and the prevention of sexual misconduct. The group includes organizations like Hope Behind Bars Africa, Gender Mobile Initiative, and the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers, among others.
These allegations first emerged in January 2025 regarding claims of sexual harassment involving a female employee at the university. These reports triggered formal complaints and an inquiry by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. The coalition clarified that their objection is not a claim of guilt, but a question of whether it is suitable to appoint someone currently under judicial scrutiny to serve as an international representative for Nigeria.
President Tinubu submitted Professor Fasina’s name to the Senate for approval as a non-career high commissioner-designate this past Wednesday.
