Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria — Professor Abayomi Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has commenced a six-month leave following recent allegations of sexual harassment against him. The university spokesperson, Foluso Ogunmodede, confirmed the leave, stating it is a combination of accumulated annual and research leave, effective from April 14, 2025.
Fasina’s leave spans 126 working days out of his total entitlement of 228 days. Ogunmodede noted that Professor Olubunmi Shittu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, has been appointed as the acting vice-chancellor during this period.
“The council approved the vice-chancellor’s request for this leave at its emergency meeting,” Ogunmodede said. “This leave is entirely his entitlement and not a suspension, as some reports have claimed.”
The allegations against Fasina stem from accusations made by Folasade Adebayo, a former Director of Works at FUOYE, who alleged that Fasina sexually harassed and victimized her after she rebuffed his advances. Adebayo presented audio evidence purportedly capturing Fasina making inappropriate remarks to her, reportedly beginning in early 2023.
In a statement, Ogunmodede denied media speculations that Minister of Education Tunji Alausa intervened and expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s decision to clear Fasina of allegations. “There has been no formal communication from the Ministry of Education regarding this,” Ogunmodede added.
It is pertinent to note that the university council had previously conducted an investigation into Adebayo’s claims, which concluded with the exoneration of Fasina. The council’s decision has drawn criticism from members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at FUOYE, who feel the investigation was compromised. SSANU’s Western Zone leadership has called for external intervention to address the situation.
“The council’s ruling sets a negative precedent within the Nigerian university system,” said Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU’s National Vice President. “We believe that the focus shifted to the circumstances of the recordings rather than the content of the allegations themselves.”
Adebayo’s allegations had previously garnered public attention, including her account of intimidation following her refusal of Fasina’s advances, which she claimed included unwarranted administrative actions against her. She expressed her fears of retaliation and voiced her commitment to seeking justice.
Adebayo’s rights and the implications of the council’s decision are currently subjects of ongoing debate among faculty and staff at FUOYE. The situation has prompted discussions about the need for strengthened policies regarding sexual harassment and procedural fairness within the university atmosphere.
Despite the turmoil surrounding his leadership, Ogunmodede asserted that the university is committed to addressing concerns and ensuring a conducive environment for all its staff and students. The governing council is expected to outline new guidelines to enhance the management of such allegations within the institution moving forward.
