Federal Govt removes University VC from office amid serious s3xual harassment allegations
Federal Govt removes University VC from office amid serious s3xual harassment allegations
Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has been directed to step aside following serious allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Engr. Folasade Adebayo, a senior female official at the university.
The development comes after Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reportedly expressed strong disapproval of the university’s initial handling of the matter.
According to insider sources, the institution’s Governing Council had earlier cleared Prof. Fasina and controversially advised the complainant to apologise—an outcome that drew outrage from the minister.
“The minister was furious,” one source said. “He contacted the Governing Council Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, to express his disappointment and demand a proper response.”
In response, an emergency virtual meeting of the Council was convened on Monday, April 14, during which it was decided that Prof. Fasina would proceed on his accumulated leave.
Though not formally suspended, sources said the decision was a compromise to avoid direct disciplinary action while effectively removing him from office.
“His tenure is due to end in August, and rather than face outright suspension, he pleaded to begin his leave early,” a university official explained.
Following this, the university’s Registrar, Mufutau A. Ibrahim, released a statement confirming the Council’s decision to grant Prof. Fasina six months of accumulated Annual and Research Leave, effective immediately.
To ensure continuity in leadership, the Council appointed Professor Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and a Professor of Soil Science, as Acting Vice-Chancellor for the next six months.
The Council’s official announcement read: “At its 7th Emergency Meeting held online on Monday, 14th April, 2025, the Governing Council approved the Vice-Chancellor’s request to proceed on leave and appointed Prof. Olubunmi S. Shittu, the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as Acting Vice-Chancellor, effective Monday, 14th April, 2025.”
