The Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti, Nigeria, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), has reaffirmed his commitment to academic integrity, revealing that he previously dismissed six professors for sexual harassment within two months of assuming office at a different institution.
Speaking with journalists in Calabar over the weekend, Ndoma-Egba expressed concerns over the declining standards in Nigeria’s academic system, emphasizing his zero tolerance for misconduct, particularly cases that compromise the credibility of university certificates.
“When I went to Lokoja, the first thing I did was, in two months, I sacked six professors for sexual harassment. It did not happen while I was there; it happened before I arrived. They were under investigation, but you know how our systems work, they tried to protect themselves,” he stated.
The senior lawyer explained that his legal background guided his approach to ensuring justice in such cases, insisting that investigations be reviewed to align findings with conclusions.
“I told them to take it back and align their findings with their conclusion. They had no choice but to do the needful. Some of them were old men, but I sacked them. I don’t tolerate that because it degrades the value of the certificate you are holding,” he added.
Ndoma-Egba also condemned academic malpractice in Nigeria, including bribery for grades and “miracle centers” that inflate students’ results. He warned that such unethical practices were undermining the nation’s education system.
Despite these challenges, he described FUOYE as a model institution, attributing its rising appeal to its commitment to academic standards.
“Apart from the fact that it is located in Ekiti, a state known for its love for education, the main reason why FUOYE has become so attractive is that we have not suffered from disruptions to our academic calendar,” he said.
He credited FUOYE’s stability to firm policies and effective management, stating that all courses at the institution are fully accredited.
On the latest sexual harassment case at FUOYE, Ndoma-Egba revealed that the university’s Governing Council had set up a committee to investigate the matter. Although the report is ready, deliberations were delayed due to the university’s recent convocation events.
“I am anxious to close that matter because the university is now being defined,” he stated, emphasizing FUOYE’s commitment to discipline and ethical standards.
