The Vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe has been sacked at the Council’s meeting held Wednesday, 12th of August at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Ogundipe was removed by the governing council of the institution. Eleven (11) council members were present at the meeting, the VC inclusive. Six (6) members voted for his removal, while four (4) members voted against it.
In an official notice signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, the VC was removed because of his serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.
Some of the council members are displeased with the motion to remove the Vice-chancellor, who has been in office for 3 years.
In this statement by Prof. Oboh, he condemned the actions of the Pro-Chancellor, Babawale Babalakin and stated that Prof. Ogundipe was not allowed to defend himself.
”Dear Senate members, the University of Lagos regulation has been stepped on and ridiculed.
Babawale Babalakin, the Pro-Chancellor waited for the tenure of Prof. Chukwu and Prof. Familoni to end, to call an Emergency Council meeting. Based on the Dagari report, without allowing the VC defend himself, the Pro-Chancellor called for a vote for the removal of the VC.
I (Prof. Oboh), Prof. Odukoya, Prof. Leshi and John Momoh voted against the removal of the VC. Six persons (excluding Babalakin) voted for. Babalakin then went ahead to announce the removal of the VC.
Dear Senate members, the procedure for removal of persons in office is clear and this was pointed out to Babalakin several times but he turned deaf ears.
He said he will announce the Ag. Vice Chancellor at 5pm. I have excused myself that I need to report to Senate members the shameful act currently ongoing. Please let us arise to fight this.”
