FG suspends FUOYE VC over sexual allegation

Federal Government on Monday April 14,2025, suspended the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) in Ekiti State, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, following allegations of sexual harassment.

This decision follows a sexual harassment allegation by a senior university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.

According to media reports, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reportedly intervened after the Governing Council initially exonerated Fasina.

The Council had advised Adebayo to apologise to Fasina, ignoring her sexual misconduct complaint.

Sources said the Minister expressed anger over the Council’s attempt to suppress the allegation.

He contacted Council Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, to express his displeasure with the report.

Ndoma-Egba quickly summoned an emergency virtual meeting of the Council on Monday, April 14.

The Council then agreed to Fasina’s immediate removal under the guise of approved leave.

Prof. Fasina requested to proceed on accrued annual and research leave instead of facing suspension.

Sources confirmed the Council accepted his request and approved six months’ leave.

The leave takes effect from Monday, April 14, and covers 126 of his 228 entitled working days.

Registrar Mufutau Ibrahim confirmed the Council’s resolution in an official statement.

In his absence, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof. Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, will act as Vice-Chancellor.

Shittu, a Professor of Soil Science, will assume the role for the next six months.

He is currently the most senior among the university’s three Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

The university statement noted the Council’s approval of Shittu’s acting appointment with immediate effect.

The original report surfaced through Sahara Reporters, citing insider sources within the university.

They revealed that the Council’s committee had dismissed Adebayo’s allegation without proper investigation.

The committee, instead, directed her to apologise to Prof. Fasina, provoking outrage.

Sources said the Minister saw the recommendation as an attempt to silence the complainant.

He insisted the Council take appropriate action against Fasina to preserve integrity.

Though not termed a suspension, the forced leave reflects government disapproval of the handling.

Observers believe the leave is a strategic move to quietly remove Fasina ahead of his August exit.

The situation has sparked fresh conversations around sexual harassment in Nigerian universities.

Education stakeholders have urged stronger mechanisms to protect whistleblowers in institutions.

The Federal Government has not announced if a formal investigation will follow.

Public pressure continues to mount on the university to revisit the case with transparency.

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