UNILAG: ASUU Backs Buhari’s Suspension of Ogundipe, Babalakin

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to wade into the crisis rocking the institution.

Naija News recalls that President Buhari had asked the embattled and sacked Vice-Chancellor UNILAG, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe to step aside.

Buhari also directed the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Wale Babalakin to recuse himself from official duties.

The president constituted a special visitation panel to look into the ongoing crisis in UNILAG

The panel was given two weeks to submit its report.

President Buhari directed the senate of the university to convene and nominate an acting vice-chancellor from among its members for the confirmation by the university council.

This was made known in a press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong.

In an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Friday, Dele Ashiru, ASUU chairman UNILAG chapter, said the government’s decision would present an opportunity for all the parties involved in the crisis to present their cases before an independent panel which has been constituted.

“Our union appreciates the federal government for this courageous step to halt Wale Babalakin’s shenanigan in UNILAG,” Ashiru said.

Recall that the Babalakin-led governing council of the institution had sacked Ogundipe as VC over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.

However, Ogundipe rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process had not been followed.

But Babalakin insisted that due process was followed in the termination Ogundipe’s appointment.