The National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has demanded the suspension of the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, over allegations of sexual harassment against one of its members.
The women’s group has called on First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, state governors’ wives, the National Assembly, the Ministers of Education and Women Affairs, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to intervene. They also threatened to stage a protest at the National Assembly if no action is taken.
However, Prof. Fasina has denied the allegations, describing them as “mere blackmail.” He stated that the police investigated the claims and cleared him of any wrongdoing. The Vice Chancellor also claimed that the alleged victim had written a statement exonerating him.
Despite this, both Prof. Fasina and the SSANU member involved are currently facing a nine-member panel set up by the university’s governing council to investigate the matter.
The SSANU Women Committee insists that the Vice Chancellor’s suspension is necessary for a fair investigation. They argue that their colleague, a Deputy Director in the university’s Works Department, allegedly rejected persistent advances from the VC, which they claim constitutes sexual harassment.
The women’s group has also called for the immediate reversal of the suspension of FUOYE SSANU branch executives, Comrades Ben Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, who they say were only performing their duties. They further demanded enhanced safety measures for university staff facing harassment.
In response, the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, stated that the institution is awaiting the investigative panel’s report before making a decision.
