Tobi Ijalana
The Federal Government has asked the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr Wale Babalakin; and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, to step down.
It announced this on Friday, saying they should do so pending the outcome of a Visitation Panel it has set up.
The panel is headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad.
Meanwhile, the FG has asked the University Senate to reconvene and choose another Acting Vice Chancellor, suggesting that it wants a replacement for Prof Theophelus Soyombo, whom the Babalakin-led Council had earlier appoinyed.
The development, which followed a bitter disagreement between Babalakin and Ogundipe, was announced in a press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong.
“Government also directs the Senate of the University of Lagos to immediately convene to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the Governing Council,” the statement added.
Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.
Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process had not been followed.
The Presidential Panel, made up of seven members, is expected to determine whether the required steps were taken by the Council in sacking Ogundipe.
They are also expected “to make appropriate recommendations including sanctions for all those found culpable” in the investigation, which is expected to last for two weeks.
The panel will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on August 26.
