* Applaud Fasina’s transformative
leadership
By John Odunayo
A coalition of staff unions at the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) has dismissed allegations levelled against the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, as baseless and malicious.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, 26th November, 2024 in Ado Ekiti, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Congress of Nigerian Academics (CONUA), Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) described the claims as “smear campaign orchestrated by disgruntled individuals”.
Some SSANU leaders had in a statement dated 25th November 2024, came up with accusations including “reversing appointments by reassigning teaching staff to non-teaching roles, sexual harassment and victimisation of a union member, staff intimidation, abuse of office, administrative recklessness, and a lack of financial accountability”.
They had also, in the statement called for probe into the university’s finances under Professor Fasina’s tenure.
But the coalition of unions described the accusations as “speculative, lacking credible evidence, and driven by political motives”.
In their response via a statement signed by the union leaders, comprising Comrade Ayeni Abraham, NASU Chairman, FUOYE Branch; Comrade Dr Ademola Akinsorotan, CONUA Coordinator, FUOYE; and others alleged that the accusations were part of a coordinated effort by detractors seeking to discredit Prof. Fasina ahead of the 2025 Vice-Chancellorship race.
They claimed, “These tactics mirror similar attempts in 2021, which ultimately failed when Prof. Fasina emerged as the fourth substantive Vice- Chancellor of FUOYE.
The caucus expressed confidence that the current campaign would also fail, citing overwhelming support for the VC from the university community.
The unions, who said that Fasina’s significant achievements had intimidated his detractors, listed them to include “promotion of over 500 non-teaching staff and 100 teaching staff – figures that surpass the records of his predecessors.
“His administration has also prioritised staff welfare through the payment of hazard allowances, provision of subsidised transportation via two Tata buses, and the implementation of remunerated online teaching programmes.
“Additionally, FUOYE has experienced remarkable institutional growth, ranking as the fourth most subscribed university in Nigeria according to JAMB, and securing research grants worth millions of dollars. Over 90 infrastructural projects have also been completed under his leadership, enhancing the university’s facilities,” they stated.
Addressing the call for a financial probe, the unions emphasised that Prof. Fasina’s tenure has been marked by transparency and accountability, noting that the former Governing Council, led by Dr Lawal Yahuza, commissioned a forensic audit of the university’s accounts by external auditors, with the resulting report confirming the integrity of the administration’s financial management.
According to them, Prof. Fasina’s leadership style has also earned him accolades, including an Award of Excellence from the Ekiti State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The unions commended his efforts to ensure transparency and fairness within the institution, referencing the recently concluded University Congregation poll on 13th November 2024, which was widely lauded for its openness.
The unions called on stakeholders and members of the public to disregard the allegations, which they described as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
They urged the university community to continue supporting Professor Fasina’s administration, which they credited with transformative achievements that have significantly advanced FUOYE’s standing.
