By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a fiery development that has stirred the Nigerian academic community, a coalition of civil society organizations has demanded the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, and the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, over what they described as "gross maladministration, impunity, and suppression of justice."
The coalition, in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi of the National Coalition for Good Governance and Dr. Joseph Ekele of the Citizens' Advocacy for Justice, accused the university leadership of failing to address multiple cases of sexual harassment, victimization of whistleblowers, and a suspicious power struggle that threatens the sanctity of the institution.
“We are deeply disturbed that FUOYE, a once-promising institution, is being dragged into the mud by individuals who prioritize personal interest over the wellbeing of students and staff,” the statement read.
"The Vice Chancellor and the Council Chairman have turned the institution into a theatre of impunity. Instead of ensuring transparency, they are shielding the accused and intimidating witnesses.”
The groups highlighted the recent suspension of an internal auditor and a female lecturer who had dared to challenge what they termed the “toxic culture of silence” around sexual harassment in the institution. These actions, they argued, are indicative of a cover-up sanctioned by the university’s top leadership.
Even more concerning, the coalition alleged that Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Council Chairman, has used his political connections to undermine due process, often overriding investigative panels and disciplinary committees in favor of cronies.
"The Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission cannot afford to remain silent while FUOYE is being run like a private estate," the statement continued. “We call on the Honorable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to dissolve the current Governing Council and suspend the Vice Chancellor to allow for an independent investigation.”
The statement concluded with a call for urgent reform to safeguard the future of thousands of students and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.
“We must not wait until another student takes their life, or until protests erupt into chaos. The time to act is now.”
