* Varsity’s progress hurting enemies of progress, we won’t be distracted – FUOYE
By John Odunayo
Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has refuted allegations of gross misconduct leveled against former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, saying sponsors of the damaging report are hurting because the University is achieving growth, progress and development.
The University, in a statement made available on Monday to newsmen by Dr Wole Balogun who is Special Adviser on Media Matters to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina and entitled : “RE: GOVERNMENT PANEL REPORT INDICTING EX-VC FUOYE-A BUNDLE OF MISREPRESENTATIONS AND TISSUES OF LIES”, faulted the claims contained in the damaging publication against the former VC and described it as baseless, unfounded and false.
The university statement reads in part: “Recently, social media and some news outlets were inundated with reports alleging various acts of misconduct during the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, Prof. Kayode Soremekun. These reports claimed to draw from findings of a purported Federal Government panel of investigation set up on FUOYE.
“However, it is imperative to categorically state that no such Federal Government panel has been convened to investigate FUOYE in recent times. Consequently, the allegations are baseless and clearly a product of malicious intent by detractors.
“The assertion that a Federal Government panel investigated FUOYE recently is entirely fabricated. This glaring falsehood forms the foundation of a narrative designed to mislead the public and to tarnish the university’s reputation. In the absence of any panel of investigation, there can be no discoveries of misconduct or irregularities, as alleged by those perpetuating this campaign of calumny. The panel only existed in the wide imagination of the jaundiced reporters”.
Balogun, who said that the allegations raised in the report were meant to undermine the success that the University has achieved, added, “These baseless accusations appear to be part of an orchestrated effort to undermine FUOYE, an institution that has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics, infrastructure and governance.
“The university’s remarkable achievements and growth have evidently unsettled detractors who seek to distract from its successes through fabricated narratives. The recent smear campaign targeting FUOYE is hardly surprising given the institution’s meteoric rise in Nigeria’s academic landscape.
“As one of the country’s fastest-growing universities, FUOYE was in 2023 recognized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as the fourth most-subscribed university in Nigeria.The University was recently ranked by AD Scientific Index Limited in the 19th position among Young Universities in Nigeria. FUOYE ranked 18th position in terms of output in SciVal, having pooled (between 2020 and 2023) an aggregate of 1,219 scholarly outputs, 4,186 citations with 754 authors.
“As at October, 2024, a total of 2,054 articles have recorded in Scopus indexed journals in favour of FUOYE scholars since its inception, the bulk of which were recorded from 2021 to date. This recognition underscores the institution’s growing appeal to students, parents, scholars, funding agencies and stakeholders, thereby reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, infrastructural development, and sound governance.
“However, such remarkable progress inevitably attracts detractors. The targeted attacks on FUOYE are part of a familiar pattern by individuals and groups who find the university’s achievements unsettling. These detractors, driven by envy and hostility, have repeatedly attempted to undermine the institution’s reputation by spreading misinformation and sensational claims. Despite these efforts, FUOYE has consistently risen above the challenges, maintaining its trajectory of excellence and progress.”
Reeling out the achievements of FUOYE, Balogun stated, “The university’s accomplishments speak for themselves: significant expansions in academic programmes, infrastructural breakthroughs, and a student-centric approach that continues to set FUOYE apart.
“Rather than addressing the university’s milestones, detractors have resorted to concocting baseless narratives aimed at diverting attention from FUOYE’s contributions to education and development.
“This calculated campaign of misinformation will not deter FUOYE from pursuing its mission of becoming a leading institution of higher learning. The university remains focused on delivering quality education and advancing its vision for academic and infrastructural excellence, standing firm as a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s educational sector.
“One of the unfounded allegations levelled against FUOYE in the write up is the claim of victimization of certain staff members by the Authorities of the institution, naming specifically Dr Akinyemi Omonijo, Dr Niyi Akingbe and Dr Olugbenga Adeyemi. The writers alleged that disciplinary actions were taken against these individuals without adherence to due process, painting a picture of arbitrary and unjust treatment by the university administration.
“However, a thorough review of records reveals that these claims are entirely unsubstantiated and misrepresent the facts. Contrary to the narrative being circulated, FUOYE has consistently adhered to established disciplinary procedures in its dealings with staff. The university operates within the framework of its conditions of service and ensures that all actions are guided by fairness, transparency, and due process.
“The allegations of victimization, therefore, lack merit and appear to be part of a deliberate effort to distort the truth and tarnish the institution’s reputation. For instance, the claim that the aforementioned staff members were suspended without pay or access to disciplinary hearings since 2019 is not backed by any credible evidence.
“Furthermore, the suggestion that the university’s disciplinary measures were arbitrary failed to account for the rigorous internal processes designed to ensure accountability and fairness. These processes include opportunities for affected individuals to present their cases before disciplinary panels, in line with the university’s regulations.
“It is important to note that the university is aware that the matters involving the individuals mentioned resulted in litigations before courts of competent jurisdiction. FUOYE, as a law-abiding institution, will therefore refrain from interfering in or commenting extensively on the issues as they are subjudice. The institution respects the judicial process and will await final court’s decision on this matter”.
FUOYE, however, categorically rejected the baseless allegations, viewing them as part of a broader campaign to mislead the public and undermine FUOYE’s integrity, saying, “It is essential for stakeholders to recognize this as an attempt to fabricate grievances where none exists, targeting an institution that continues to prioritize academic excellence and ethical governance. Such attempts at character assassination will not distract FUOYE from its mission of advancing education and fostering development.
“The recent reports alleging financial opacity at FUOYE are not only baseless, but also lack any shred of credible evidence. The writers falsely alleged diversion of internally generated revenue (IGR), use of commercial bank accounts instead of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and non-remittance of allowances to deserving staff. However, these claims are entirely unsubstantiated, with no specific account details, financial records, or corroborative evidence provided to support the allegations, “ he said.
Condemning the report further, Balogun said: “Such reports exhibit the hallmarks of yellow journalism—sensationalism over substance, aimed at misleading the public and maligning the institution’s reputation. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the authors failed to present any critical facts, such as account numbers, names of signatories, or documentation of alleged transactions. This glaring omission undermines the credibility of the claims and exposes them as fabrications designed to mislead.
“It is important to note that FUOYE, under its successive leaderships, has maintained a commitment to financial transparency and accountability. The university adheres strictly to government-mandated financial regulations, including the use of the TSA for all official transactions. Moreover, audits by external professionals, including those conducted under the oversight of the University’s Governing Council, have consistently validated FUOYE’s compliance with financial management standards.
“The failure of the report to cite verifiable instances of financial mismanagement underscores its intent to spread misinformation rather than to inform the public. FUOYE remains undeterred by such tactics, continuing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management practices. These baseless claims will not distract the university from its mission of fostering educational excellence and institutional growth.
“The campaigners of falsehood have unjustly targeted the appointments of certain members of staff including Mr Godwin Elabor, Prof. Tajudeen Opoola, and Mr Wale Owasanoye, accusing the university of irregularities therefrom. These baseless accusations not only distort the facts, but also fail to acknowledge the credentials and significant contributions of these individuals to FUOYE.
“Mr. Godwin Elabor joined FUOYE with credible qualifications, including an HND in Business Administration, a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Marketing, and an MBA. He also brought over 23 years of professional experience at NEPA/Ikeja Electricity, where he served in senior roles, including as Head of Commercial Services. His qualifications were subjected to scrutiny by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which cleared him of any irregularities, validating his credentials and appointment.
“Prof. Tajudeen Opoola, who earned his Ph.D. in 2000, underwent a meticulous external assessment process prior to his appointment at FUOYE. His academic and administrative contributions have been nothing short of remarkable. He has successfully served as the Head of the Linguistics Department, Dean of the Faculty of Arts for five years, and is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). His appointment was in full compliance with established recruitment policies, and his extensive teaching and administrative experience continue to add immense value to the institution.
“As for Mr. Wale Owasanoye, the reports falsely claim he is an engineering graduate and inexperienced. The truth is that Mr Owasanoye is neither an engineer nor a fresh graduate. His appointment at FUOYE followed all due processes, aligning with advertised qualifications and his demonstrated expertise.These baseless claims are clearly designed therefore, to tarnish his reputation and discredit the integrity of the university’s recruitment practices.
“The targeted attacks on these individuals reflect a broader attempt to undermine FUOYE’s achievements, but the facts speak for themselves. These staff members have proven their
competence integrity, and dedication to the institution, making significant contributions to its continued success.
Under Prof. Soremekun’s leadership, FUOYE expanded from five faculties and 30 academic programmes in 2016 to 11 faculties and 61 fully accredited programmes by 2020. The student population grew from 7,000 to over 24,000, supported by significant infrastructural development, including state-of-the-art buildings for the faculties of Pharmacy, Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, and Environmental Design & Management.These achievements laid a solid foundation for the current administration led by Prof. Abayomi Fasina, which has continued to build on these successes with over new 90 completed infrastructural projects and innovations in digital record-keeping, online learning systems, and staff welfare.
Additionally, under the Fasina-led administration, there are now 77 accredited academic programmes as of 2024 under 14 faculties including a College of Medicine all of which are well-received.
It is significant to note that the orchestrators of this smear campaign have deliberately ignored FUOYE’s numerous achievements, including its significant contributions to Ekiti State economy and its great strides in part-time programmes, sandwich courses, and the FUOYE Business School. These achievements underscore FUOYE’s status as a leader in higher education and a model for other institutions.
“In summary, the allegations against FUOYE and Prof. Soremekun are baseless, malicious, and an affront on the integrity of a university that has consistently demonstrated excellence. FUOYE’s leadership remains committed to transparency, accountability, and progress, and no amount of fabricated narratives can detract from its achievements.
“The public is urged to disregard these falsehoods and focus on the undeniable facts of FUOYE’s outstanding contributions to education and national development. FUOYE will continue to rise, despite the envy and hostility of detractors, as it pursues its mission of academic excellence and societal impact.”
