FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Face Controversy Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) is currently at the center of a significant controversy following the alleged suspension of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, over allegations of sexual harassment.

While the university officially stated that Professor Fasina proceeded on “official leave,” multiple reports indicate that this leave coincided with his suspension pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The controversy began when Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a Deputy Director in FUOYE’s Works Department, accused Professor Fasina of persistent inappropriate advances.

An audio recording purportedly capturing a conversation between the two surfaced online, intensifying public scrutiny.

In the recording, Professor Fasina allegedly admitted to making romantic advances toward Mrs. Adebayo and expressed frustration over the public disclosure of their interaction. This development prompted widespread calls for his suspension to ensure an impartial investigation.

In response to the allegations, FUOYE’s Governing Council established a nine-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee was tasked with examining the source of the audio recording, the motives behind its release, and the specific allegations against Professor Fasina.

The committee was given three weeks to complete its investigation. However, concerns were raised about the committee’s impartiality, with reports suggesting that the committee may have manipulated its findings to shield Professor Fasina, allegedly disregarding key evidence and concluding that Mrs. Adebayo fabricated the allegations.

Amidst these developments, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) initiated its own probe into the matter following petitions from civil society organizations.

The National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has been vocal in demanding Professor Fasina’s suspension to allow for a fair investigation.

They emphasized the need for justice and the protection of staff members from harassment. Additionally, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) initially threatened to shut down the university if the Vice-Chancellor was not suspended before the upcoming convocation.

However, they later commended the Governing Council for setting up the investigative committee, expressing hope for a thorough and impartial inquiry.

Conversely, a group of FUOYE students staged a protest defending Professor Fasina, alleging that the accusations were politically motivated attempts to destabilize the university.

An advocacy group, Campaign for Justice and Fair Play, also criticized the SSANU Women’s Committee, accusing them of orchestrating a campaign to remove the Vice-Chancellor.

Final Thoughts

Professor Fasina has denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and a campaign of calumny. He stated that the police had investigated the matter and cleared him of any wrongdoing, noting that Mrs. Adebayo had, in a written statement, denied any sexual harassment.

As investigations by both the university’s committee and the ICPC continue, the FUOYE community and the public await the findings.