FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Denies Suspension, Clarifies Leave Was Officially Approved

The Coordinator of civic advocacy group Justice Vanguard, Mr Obafemi Ajayi, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, was suspended from office.

Ajayi described the media claims as misleading and mischievous, stressing that Professor Fasina was never suspended but was on a six-month leave approved by the university’s Governing Council in April 2025 under public service regulations. The Vice-Chancellor resumed duty on October 14, 2025.

He added that Professor Fasina had been cleared of all sexual harassment allegations by the Police and two investigative panels set up by the former and current Pro-Chancellors.

Addressing a recent video showing a guard of honour for the Vice-Chancellor’s return, Ajayi said the ceremony is a routine tradition at FUOYE for principal officers and not unique to any individual. “It is symbolic of institutional respect, discipline, and order,” he said, noting similar practices exist in many Nigerian universities.

Ajayi praised the university community for maintaining peace during the Vice-Chancellor’s absence and highlighted FUOYE’s growing reputation. The institution was recently ranked among the top 15 universities in Nigeria in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 and remains one of the most subscribed universities in the country, according to JAMB data.

FUOYE also gained international recognition when four of its lecturers — Prof. Olayide Samuel Lawal, Dr Adeolu Adesoji Adediran, Prof. Bukola Olalekan Bolaji, and Prof. Basiru Olaitan Ajiboye — were named among the world’s top 2% scientists in 2025 by TopSciNet, reflecting their research impact and productivity.

Ajayi described the recognition as a testament to Professor Fasina’s leadership, urging stakeholders to focus on sustaining research-driven progress and infrastructural development rather than “distractive narratives propagated by a few individuals with ulterior motives.”

“What FUOYE has achieved in less than fifteen years is remarkable. The Vice-Chancellor’s administration has deepened a culture of merit, discipline, and innovation. These gains should not be undermined by falsehood or sensationalism,” he said.