FUOYE appoints acting VC, suspends Professor Fasina over sexual harassment

The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Olubunmi Shittu, as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution for a period of six months.

This was disclosed in a statement by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, following the Council’s seventh emergency meeting, which was held virtually.

During the meeting, the embattled Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, requested to proceed on his accumulated annual leave—a request the Council approved.

However, sources reveal the move followed mounting pressure stemming from a sexual harassment allegation involving the Vice Chancellor.

According to insider reports, the emergency meeting was convened after Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the FUOYE Governing Council, led by Senator Ndoma Egba, handled the allegation.

The Minister was reportedly angered by the Council’s committee report, which allegedly downplayed the sexual harassment complaint and controversially recommended that the complainant, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a senior university official, issue an apology to Professor Fasina.

A source who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity said that Professor Fasina, whose tenure is set to end in August, appealed to the Council to approve his leave rather than imposing a direct suspension.

The university community and stakeholders are closely monitoring developments as the matter continues to attract attention at both institutional and federal levels.