The Senate of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, commending his exemplary and progressive administration. According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wole Balogun, Professor Fasina’s leadership was recognized for driving significant growth and development across the university.
The motion, proposed by Professor Ayodele Fajimi, Dean of the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, and seconded by Professor Bifatife Olufemi Adeseye, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, received unanimous endorsement during the 70th Senate meeting held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The Senate expressed concerns about unsubstantiated allegations made against the Vice-Chancellor and the university management by a faction of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), led by Mr. Benjamin Faleye. It emphasized the importance of staff adhering to institutional rules and conducting themselves with decorum, noting that such actions harm the university’s reputation and hinder progress. The Senate strongly recommended a probe into the matter to ensure clarity and resolution.
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In reaffirming its confidence in Professor Fasina’s leadership, the Senate approved a letter of commendation for the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Engineer Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, in recognition of his significant contributions to the university’s development. It also welcomed the recent appointment of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, marking a new chapter in the university’s governance.
Regarding staff welfare and development, the Senate was updated on several initiatives by the management aimed at enhancing the well-being of university employees. These include tuition rebates for staff and their dependents, plans for an end-of-year welfare package, and the procurement of an additional staff bus to support subsidized transportation. The promotion of 35 professors and readers was also announced, with the promoted staff formally recognized during the meeting. Furthermore, the Senate warmly received the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, as he commenced his tenure with the Council’s approval.
The Senate celebrated FUOYE’s recent achievements, including its recognition as the 10th-best university in Nigeria and the 38th in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. This milestone was seen as a testament to the effective leadership of Professor Fasina and his team, highlighting the university’s steady progress.
In response to the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor, the Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT-FUOYE), Babafemi Babasola, distanced his union from the claims made by the Faleye-led SSANU faction. He reaffirmed NAAT’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and progressive campus environment and urged the management to address the outstanding issue of 37 months’ arrears for operational hazard allowances, which had accrued under the previous university administration.
