The Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has strongly criticized the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) for clearing the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, of sexual harassment allegations brought forward by a staff member, Folasade Adebayo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement signed by Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU’s National Vice President and Zonal Chairman, the union denounced the council’s verdict, stating that it sets a damaging precedent in the Nigerian academic environment. The union alleged that the internal investigation process lacked transparency and may have been compromised.

SSANU is demanding the dissolution of the university’s governing council, citing a “lack of integrity” and urging the formation of an independent panel to re-investigate the matter. They also insisted that Professor Fasina be suspended pending the outcome of a fair and independent inquiry.

The allegations, originally made by Mrs Adebayo, a former Director of Works at the university, include repeated sexual advances from Professor Fasina dating back to 2023. She provided an audio recording as evidence, in which the VC can be heard pressuring her into an intimate relationship, promising professional favours in return. The audio, obtained by Premium Times, includes quotes of the VC urging her to “make him happy” while dismissing her rejections.

Despite this, the FUOYE governing council cleared the Vice-Chancellor after a committee review and directed Mrs Adebayo to issue a written apology within seven days. The council also asked SSANU to apologise and sanctioned the union’s local leaders, Comrades Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, for going public with the allegations. Although their suspensions were lifted, they were penalized with a 50% salary deduction for the period of suspension.

The council further accused Mrs Adebayo of unethical behaviour for recording the conversation without consent and criticized SSANU for its role in escalating the issue.

In response, SSANU lambasted the council for focusing on the manner of evidence collection instead of the content of the evidence itself. The union emphasized that the council appeared more concerned with shielding the Vice-Chancellor than addressing the core issue of workplace misconduct.

SSANU also denied the council’s claims that Mrs Adebayo never filed a formal complaint and clarified that the police investigation referenced by the council pertained to financial misconduct—not sexual harassment.

Rejecting the disciplinary measures imposed on both the whistleblower and union members, SSANU reiterated its call for justice, emphasizing that the demand for apologies within a seven-day window appears to be a prelude to unjust dismissals.