FUOYE VC Suspended Amidst Sexual Harassment Claims

OYE-EKITI,NIGERIA – Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has been suspended by the university’s Governing Council following serious allegations of sexual harassment brought forward by a senior university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.

The suspension follows a reported intervention by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who expressed strong disapproval of the Governing Council’s initial handling of the matter. Sources indicate the Minister was particularly concerned that the council’s committee appeared to dismiss the sexual harassment claims, instead recommending that the complainant apologize to the Vice-Chancellor.

In response to the Minister’s intervention, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Chairman of the Governing Council, convened an emergency online meeting on Monday. During this meeting, the Council resolved to suspend Prof. Fasina, though he requested to proceed on his accumulated leave instead. The Council granted his request for a six-month accrued leave, effective immediately.

A source explained, “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.”

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The Governing Council has appointed Prof. Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, Professor of Soil Science and the incumbent Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month period.

A press statement released by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim, confirmed the development. “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.”