By Mohammed Bello Doka
Abuja, May 2, 2025 – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has submitted a petition to the Honourable Minister of Education regarding a deepening crisis at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). Signed by NANS National President, Comr. Isikolo Ij, the petition outlines allegations of systemic corruption, sexual harassment, and administrative failures under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
NANS, representing Nigerian students both at home and in the diaspora, emphasizes its commitment to justice, equity, and student welfare. The petition accuses FUOYE’s leadership of fostering a culture of sexual predation, intimidation, and financial mismanagement. Key allegations include:
Sexual Harassment Cover-Ups: Engr. Folashade Adebayo’s allegations against Prof. Fasina are supported by audio evidence but were dismissed by the university. A case involving Dr. Agbegbedia, a lecturer who failed a female student for rejecting his advances, was also ignored. After an external panel overturned the student’s failure, Dr. Agbegbedia was promoted instead of being disciplined.
Negligence and Loss of Life: The 2023 death of a student, Modupe, is attributed to the VC’s negligence in addressing security concerns.
Administrative Abuses: Prof. Fasina is accused of unlawfully terminating staff, including a first-class law lecturer who resisted harassment. Other allegations include embezzlement of university funds, procurement fraud, and spending millions on legal fees to prosecute staff. The petition also cites the existence of illegal accounts and mismanaged TETFund projects.
Bias in Governance: The University Governing Council, led by Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, is criticized for suspending SSANU leaders without due process, thereby undermining justice.
NANS demands immediate action within 72 hours, including:
1. The removal of Prof. Fasina as Vice-Chancellor.
2. The removal of Senator Udo Udoma as Governing Council Chairman.
3. An independent investigation into cases of sexual harassment, particularly that of Dr. Agbegbedia.
4. Protection mechanisms for whistleblowers and harassment victims, including Dr. Ngozi Ole and SSANU executives.
5. A financial audit of FUOYE’s activities under Prof. Fasina.
6. Security agencies to investigate the VC’s actions.
7. A warning that failure to act will result in NANS mobilizing South-West students to shut FUOYE’s gates.
The petition highlights President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education, and warns that unchecked abuses threaten this vision. NANS pledges to resist any threats to student welfare and calls for accountability to restore integrity to FUOYE and Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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