…urges Varsity Council to initiate a peace, reconciliation committee
The Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has expressed her satisfaction with the decisions of the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) over the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against the Vice-Chancellor , Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina by Engr. (Mrs.) Folasade Adebayo. The University’s Council had declared Prof. Fasina innocent mainly based on the findings of investigations already carried out by the Nigerian police on the matter in which Adebayo penned that she was not sexually harassed by Fasina, and partly as a result of the fact that Adebayo did not accuse the VC of sexual harassment in black and white.
Rather than handing out strict sanctions on the duo of Ben Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, local branch chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and Secretary respectively, the Council magnanimously lifted their suspension for gross misconduct and directed the to write a letter of apology within one week. Adebayo was also directed to apologize in same manner.
Lauding FUOYE Governing Council members for their thorough and objective handling of the issue, NANS western zone D in a press statement co- signed by its Coordinator, Comr. Owolewa Taiwo S, Comr. Oluwole Olutunde A, General Secretary, and Comr. Kuku Isaiah Eromidayo Public Relations Officer, put forward the following positions:
“NANS remains the umbrella body of all Nigerian students both at home and in the diaspora. We represent the largest student and youth movement in Africa, dedicated to the protection of students’ rights, promotion of educational development, and entrenchment of justice and equity within our institutions.
“We have keenly followed the events surrounding the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi S. Fasina, and we commend the Governing Council for its courage in constituting an investigative panel to handle the matter in a transparent and professional manner.
“Having reviewed the official report released by the Office of the Registrar following the Extraordinary Meeting of the Governing Council held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, we wish to make the following statements:
“We welcome the report of the Investigative Panel and commend the thoroughness and objectivity with which the matter was handled. We particularly commend the Council, under the leadership of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), for ensuring due process and a fair hearing for all parties involved.
“We align with the findings of the panel, especially the conclusion that there was no case of sexual harassment, corroborated by previous investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and statements by the concerned parties.
“We urge all stakeholders, especially staff, students, and the University community, to accept the findings of the panel and work in unity for the progress of FUOYE. The time has come for healing, reconciliation, and forward-thinking leadership.
“We appreciate the Council’s proactive steps to address broader institutional issues highlighted in the report, including recommendations on staff conduct, promotion procedures, and internal governance reforms.
Our foremost concern remains the welfare of students. We call on the University management to prioritize student-centered policies and uphold the ideals of fairness, accountability, and inclusiveness in decision-making.
We also support the Council’s plans to initiate a Peace and Reconciliation Committee and onboarding/reorientation programs, which we believe will help reset the institutional culture in a positive direction.
We once again appreciate the Governing Council for its resolute leadership and implore all parties involved to let this moment mark a new beginning of growth, peace, and academic excellence for the Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
