- Safiu Kehinde
Professor Abayomi Fasina, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, has been suspended over sexual harassment allegations.
The University don was accused of the harassment by a senior female university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.
According to report, the institution’s Governing Council Committee had initially exonerated the Vice Chancellor of the allegation while urging Adebayo to apologize to the don.
This was, however, disapproved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the council’s recommendation.
“The minister was very angry with the decision of the council,
“He was unhappy that the council tried to sweep the sexual harassment complaint under the carpet and rather told the complainant to apologise.
“He called the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), to register his displeasure.” a source within the institution reportedly disclosed.
The Council resolved to the removal of Fasina following Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s emergency virtual meeting with them on Monday.
However, Prof. Fasina’s suspension was reportedly placed under the guise of accumulated six months leave with the Council appointing Prof. Samuel Shittu as Acting Vice Chancellor.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim.
“The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) at its 7th Emergency Meeting held online on Monday, 14th April, 2025, considered the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, to proceed on his accumulated Annual and Research Leave and approved six (6) months, being 126 working days out of his total entitlements of 228 days with effect from today, Monday, 14th April, 2025.”
“In addition, the Governing Council appointed Prof. Olubunmi S. Shittu, the incumbent Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, who is also the most senior of the three (3) Deputy Vice-Chancellors, as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University for a period of six (6) months with effect from today, Monday, 14th April, 2025,” the statement read.
According to report, source disclosed that Fasina had pleaded with the Council to allow him to proceed on his accrued annual and research leave instead of facing direct suspension.
“You know, as a Vice-Chancellor, if you wish to end your tenure early, especially within six months to the end of your term, you are permitted to proceed on your accumulated leave,
“Although Fasina’s tenure is due to end in August, the Council has now asked him to proceed on that leave effective immediately.” the source explained.