Student Unions Demand FUOYE VC’s Removal Over Sexual Harassment, Mismanagement Allegations

Student union leaders on Thursday protested at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina.

The protesters, led jointly by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS), urged the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to immediately remove Prof. Abayomi Fasina from office.

The protesters, who carried placards, said their demand for the vice-chancellor’s removal was based on allegations of sexual harassment, financial mismanagement, and an alleged cover-up by Prof. Fasina.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, NANS spokesperson Samson Adeyemi accused Dr Anthony Agbegbedia, a lecturer in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, of sexually harassing a female student and subsequently awarding her a failing grade in retaliation.

“At the heart of this protest lies the disturbing and well-documented case of Dr Anthony Agbegbedia, a Department of Peace and Conflict Studies staff member whose actions represent everything wrong with unchecked academic power,” Adeyemi said.

“Dr Agbegbedia sexually harassed a female student and deliberately failed her after she refused to submit to his immoral demands. When the matter was brought to light, her script was reevaluated by an external panel, and she passed with honour.

“Rather than discipline the predator, the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, protected and even rewarded him with a promotion.”

Adeyemi described the development as an abuse of power, a betrayal of trust, and a violation of the moral sanctity of education.

The NANS leader listed other demands, including immediate suspension of Dr Agbegbedia, setting up of an independent panel to probe sexual harassment cases, protection for whistleblowers and harassment survivors, a full audit of the university’s finances under Prof. Fasina as well as the public release of the findings and a timeline for implementation of reforms to ensure transparency and accountability.