CSOs Urge Tinubu To Reconsider Fasina’s Ambassadorial Nomination

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has asked President Bola Tinubu to review the ambassadorial nomination of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina.

The organizations mentioned unresolved allegations and court proceedings that are still underway against the former university administrator.

The coalition, comprising Hope Behind Bars Africa, Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion, Gender Mobile Initiative, BraveHeart Initiative, Speak Out Africa Initiative, Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocate of Rule of Law and Human Dignity, made the call in a statement issued on Friday.

The groups said that going ahead with the nomination while the allegations are still in the courts could erode public confidence in accountability, the rule of law, and Nigeria’s commitment to protecting victims of sexual harassment.

Fasina’s controversy began in January 2025 when allegations of sexual harassment were made against a female staff member of FUOYE and the matter was made public, leading to petitions from several civil society organisations and an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

However, the FUOYE Governing Council later cleared Fasina of the allegations after an internal investigation, saying it found no evidence of sexual harassment and asked the complainant to apologise to the university.

While he is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence, the coalition said public appointments, particularly diplomatic appointments, should not be based on the absence of criminal conviction alone, but also on integrity, public confidence and institutional credibility.
The question before the Nigerian public is therefore not whether Professor Abayomi Fasina has been convicted in the court of law. The presumption of innocence, which is part of the constitution, is sacrosanct and must be respected.

“Instead, the question is whether it is appropriate, wise and consistent with the principles of public accountability to nominate a person who is currently subject to unresolved allegations and ongoing judicial scrutiny to represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the international stage,” the statement said.

The coalition said the allegations against the former vice-chancellor had attracted wide public concern and had been reported to the ICPC, which it said carried out investigations following petitions by civil society organisations.

It also said criminal proceedings arising from the matter and civil cases relating to alleged sexual harassment and workplace victimisation are still before the courts.

The groups warned that promoting someone whose conduct is still under judicial review could suggest that checks and balances can be circumvented for people in positions of power.

They also feared the nomination could deter victims of sexual harassment from coming forward and erode public confidence in institutions meant to ensure justice and accountability.

“Appointments to high public office should reflect the country’s commitment to dignity, equality and protection against gender-based discrimination,” the coalition said, citing Sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol.

The coalition called on President Tinubu to reconsider and withdraw the nomination of Fasina until all court cases on the allegations are determined.

It also called on the National Assembly to conduct a rigorous scrutiny of the nomination and urged relevant public institutions to strengthen survivor-centred justice and institutional accountability.