FUOYE Debunks False Report on Vice-Chancellor’s Suspension

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has firmly refuted claims circulating in a section of the media suggesting that the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has been suspended by the University’s Governing Council.

In a statement released by Dr. Wole Balogun, Special Adviser on Media Matters to the Vice-Chancellor, the University described the report as false and misleading.

“The attention of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been drawn to a fake news item being circulated on some media platforms, alleging that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, was suspended on April 14, 2025, by the Governing Council chaired by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. This report is entirely untrue and should be disregarded by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community,” the statement read.

Clarifying the situation, Dr. Balogun explained that Prof. Fasina had voluntarily requested to proceed on his accumulated annual and research leave, a request which was duly approved by the Governing Council.

The official confirmation came through a press release signed by the University Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim. It reads:

“The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), at its 7th Emergency Meeting held online on Monday, April 14, 2025, considered and approved the Vice-Chancellor’s request to proceed on his accumulated Annual and Research Leave. The Council approved a period of six (6) months, equivalent to 126 working days, out of his total entitlement of 228 days, effective from Monday, April 14, 2025.”

The Council also appointed Prof. Olubunmi S. Shittu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and the most senior of the three Deputy Vice-Chancellors, as Acting Vice-Chancellor for the duration of Prof. Fasina’s leave.

Prof. Fasina, a renowned professor of soil science, was recently named the Independent Newspaper’s Best Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2024 for his exceptional leadership and transformative impact on FUOYE.

Additionally, the University reiterated that Prof. Fasina was recently exonerated of a sexual harassment allegation made by a staff member, Engr. Folashade Adebayo. Following a thorough investigation by an independent panel and corroborated by findings from the Nigeria Police Force, the Governing Council confirmed at its 8th Extraordinary Meeting on April 8, 2025, that there was no case of sexual harassment.

Mr. Ibrahim stated:

“After reviewing the panel’s report, which included documentary evidence such as the NPF report, audio recordings, transcripts, and written communications, the Council concluded that the allegation lacked merit. This confirms the earlier position of the Nigeria Police, which found no case of harassment after Engr. Adebayo herself stated during interrogation that she was not harassed.”

FUOYE urges the public to disregard the false reports and continue to support the institution in its pursuit of academic excellence and integrity.