The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has formed a nine-member committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina. This decision follows a report published by Sahara Reporters, which detailed accusations made by a female staff member, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, who claimed that the Vice-Chancellor made immoral advances towards her.
In a statement released on Friday, January 24, 2025, the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim, confirmed the formation of the investigative committee, which has been tasked with uncovering the truth behind the allegations within three weeks. The committee's mandate includes investigating the source of audio recordings that went viral, allegedly capturing the Vice-Chancellor's immoral advances, and the purchase of key administrative positions such as that of the Bursar and Registrar.
The statement further noted that the Council had excused the Vice-Chancellor from its meeting in light of the serious allegations and would take appropriate actions based on the findings. The Governing Council expressed concerns that the negative media attention surrounding the university was overshadowing its achievements, and emphasized that justice would be served, with no individual beyond reproach.
The committee is also instructed to examine prior efforts by the police and the previous chairman of the Council to resolve the issue and to investigate any other matters connected to the allegations.
While the university is grappling with the controversy, the Pro-Chancellor, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, denied the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor, asserting that a committee would be formed to fully review the matter. Ndoma-Egba also addressed the university's outstanding achievements, stating that despite the negative press, FUOYE had grown to become the fourth most subscribed university in Nigeria, with a student population nearing 55,000 in just 14 years.
The committee’s findings are expected to be presented at the next Governing Council meeting in February 2025, and the university has urged the public to remain calm as the investigation progresses.
