President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos.
Part of the recommendations of the panel included the reinstatement of the suspended Vice-chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the dissolution of the Governing Council.
Buhari, as Visitor to the University had in August set up a Special Visitation Panel to look into the crisis rocking the institution.
The Vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ogundipe had been involved in a power play with the Chairman of the school’s Governing Council Dr. B.O Babalakin.
Babalakin had also accused the VC of financial misconduct.
This led to Ogundipe’s removal by the Council through a process that was contested by the university community.
The seven-member panel, headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad was directed by the president to conclude its report and submit recommendations within two weeks.
It’s terms of reference included: “To review the report of the council’s subcommittee on review of expenditure of University of Lagos since May 2017 and make appropriate recommendations after affording those indicted an opportunity to defend themselves.
“To examine the step taken by the council leading to the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and ascertaining whether due process was followed as stipulated in the universities(Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act,2003 and the principle of fair hearing adhered to,” among others.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben-Bem Goong, on Wednesday disclosed that the President had approved all the recommendations of the Visitation panel.
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The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by Mr. President are as follows:
i) The removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor did not follow due process.
ii) The Vice Chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated.
iii) All allegations made against the Vice Chancellor and the management of the University before and after the Constitution of the Special Visitation Panel should be referred to regular Visitation Panel for thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.
iv) The process adopted by the Council in the appointment of Professor Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University was inconsistent with the provisions of the Law relating to the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor.
v) The Governing Council should be dissolved.
The statement read further: “Mr. President after careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the Panel.
Accordingly:
i) Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
ii) The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved.
“Mr. President hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the University.”
