On November 14, 2024, a notable incident involving the Federal University Oye-Ekiti came to light after a final-year student, studying in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, was ultimately given a passing grade upon external review. Allegations had arisen that the lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, had initially failed the student due to her rejection of his sexual advances.
The case first gained attention when the student reached out to SaharaReporters, asserting that Dr. Agbegbedia used his position to pressure her, allegedly penalizing her academically when she rebuffed his advances. As per the student’s account, Dr. Agbegbedia persistently pursued her and suggested private meetings outside of the academic setting, which she declined. The harassment, she claimed, continued from her third-year studies and intensified through her final-year coursework in PCS 411 and PCS 414.
Efforts to address the issue reportedly began with the student and her father formally submitting complaints to the university’s Dean of the Faculty of Science and the Vice Chancellor of the institution. In a letter dated August 20, 2024, the student’s father expressed concern over the repeated harassment and the consequent academic consequences. He requested an investigation to ensure his daughter could graduate without further intimidation.
Upon examination of her academic records, the university administration found reason to forward the student’s scripts for independent review by an external examiner. This third-party evaluation revealed that she had, in fact, passed the course, which contradicted Dr. Agbegbedia’s grading. Consequently, her actual grade was uploaded, affirming her academic success in the disputed courses.
In a response to SaharaReporters, Dr. Agbegbedia dismissed the allegations as an attempt to discredit him, maintaining that he had always adhered to university guidelines and marking standards. He denied any improper conduct or engagement with students outside of academic obligations.
However, records of communication allegedly between Dr. Agbegbedia and the student, obtained by SaharaReporters, suggested a series of conversations wherein the lecturer appeared to pressure the student to meet him. These records raised further questions regarding his professional conduct and the integrity of his grading.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, acknowledged the receipt of the complaints and affirmed that a disciplinary panel was in place to investigate the matter thoroughly. He emphasized the university's commitment to ensuring that such allegations are addressed with full transparency and due process, assuring that neither side would be shielded.
This incident has added to growing concerns over the integrity of academic assessments and the prevalence of harassment in educational institutions. The outcome of the investigation and the university’s response to such cases are likely to set significant precedents for handling similar situations in the future, with the administration pledging to uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.
