FUOYE alumnus calls for peace as VC resumes 6-month leave after sexual harassment scandal

Temitope Arogundade, the president of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) alumni association, has called for peace among the management staff of the institution.

Arogundade urged the university community to prioritise peace and the institution’s image, as Abayomi Fasina, the varsity vice-chancellor, resumes office on October 14.

Earlier in April, the VC applied for an accumulated leave for research purposes. The leave was granted by the university’s governing council.

However, the management approved a six-month leave instead of a 11-month request by the VC.

The expiration of the 11-month leave was expected to mark the end of Fasina’s five-year tenure as the VC by February 2026.

Last year, the VC was accused of sexual harassment and victimisation by Folashade Adebayo, a female senior lecturer.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) also accused Fasina of inappropriate conduct towards the senior lecturer.

The association claimed that Fasina had made advances at the senior lecturer, then proceeded to remove her from office after she refused.

These allegations prompted calls for a probe into the university’s financial and administrative operations during Fasina’s tenure.

The university council set up a committee to investigate the matter, later clearing the VC of the allegations.

Amid the controversy, the VC went on his academic leave while Olubunmi Shittu, the acting VC, assumed office.

Foluso Ogunmodede, the university’s spokesperson, had said Fasina’s leave was unrelated to the sexual allegation.

Speaking on Saturday, Arogundade urged all stakeholders to allow peace to reign on the campus, adding that the VC  has significantly contributed to the development of the institution.

The alumni president said the management should allow a successful transition of office when Fasina’s time expires in February 2026.

Arogundade also highlighted some of Fasina’s contributions to the development of the institution.

“ICT development has been transformative on the campus, as it is evident in the internet bandwidth that tripled, with fibre connectivity extended across campuses, and FUOYE’s ascension in Webometrics from 76th to 17th in two years,” he added.

“The university has also excelled in sports, ranking among the best in Nigeria and Africa, while strengthening community ties through scholarships, land donations, and partnerships with other institutions.

“Through these strides, Professor Fasina has repositioned FUOYE as one of the fastest-growing, most vibrant, and most peaceful universities in Nigeria.”