By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has petitioned the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, demanding the removal of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, within 72 hours.

According to a statement signed by NANS' President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja on Friday, the demand stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment and mismanagement of the university’s resources brought against the VC by Engr. Folashade Adebayo and other senior staff of the university.

NANS expressed disappointment over the handling of the sexual harassment case by the panel set up to investigate it, and accused the University’s Governing Council, under the Chairmanship of Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, of worsening the situation in the institution by hurriedly suspending the SSANU chairman and secretary without granting due process to both sides.

“The University’s Governing Council, under the Chairmanship of Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, has worsened the situation by hurriedly suspending the SSANU chairman and secretary without granting due process to both sides. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. Any process tainted by bias or political interest will never enjoy the confidence of the Nigerian Students,” the statement said.

The students' group also cited specific cases, including the VC’s alleged shielding of Dr. Agbegbedia, who purportedly failed a female student for refusing his sexual advances.

“The ugly crisis currently rocking the Federal University Oye-Ekiti is a painful reminder of the rot festering beneath the surface of many Nigeria universities. Following an independent, unbiased investigation conducted by the NANS Crisis Response Committee (NCRC), we are deeply troubled but not surprised by the sexual harassment allegations leveled by Engr. Folasade Adebayo against the VC (Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina).

“Our comprehensive findings have exposed a long-standing culture of sexual predation, intimidation, and cover-ups within the institution. These are not isolated incidents they are systemic, normalized abuses of power.

“One particularly distressing case is that of Dr. Agbegbedia from the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. This individual, a known mentee of the Vice-Chancellor, was found to have deliberately failed a female student who refused to yield to his sexual demands. When the matter came to light, an external panel re-evaluated her script and found her performance meritorious. She was rightfully passed.

“Yet, Instead of punishing the predator, VC (Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina) shielded him and promoted him, rewarding impunity and enabling further abuse,” NANs stated

The union also highlighted other issues, such as institutional cover-ups, unlawful termination of staff members, and financial mismanagement.

“We must also not forget the tragic case of Modupe, promising student, who lost her life two years ago due to gross negligence and disregard for security reports by the said controversial VC. That death was preventable. That life was valuable. And her blood cries out for justice and the time is here,” it stated.

The students' union gave the Minister 72 hours to meet their demands, which include removing the VC and the University Governing Council Chairman, Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, and conducting a special audit of FUOYE's financial activities.

“An independent, non-partisan panel must be constituted to revisit and investigate all sexual harassment cases especially that of Dr. Agbegbedia and make recommendations for justice.

“Mechanisms must be established to protect whistleblowers and victims of harassment and assaults (Dr. Ngozi Ole, SSANU excos, etc.) within FUOYE and across all Nigerian tertiary institutions.

“A special audit must be conducted on the financial activities of FUOYE under Prof. Fasina, including staff welfare, security expenditures, and academic funding.

“All security agencies in the country must rise to the occasion and invite Prof Abayomi Fasina to account for all allegations leveled against him,” the students demanded.

The students' group threatened to mobilize students to protest if their demands are not met within 72 hours.

“We will mobilize all our students across the South-West to move to FUOYE and lock the gate of the university,” the student threatened.