The National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed outrage over allegations of sexual harassment against one of its members by the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
The committee is calling for his immediate suspension to allow for an impartial investigation.
In a statement issued by the National Women Coordinator, Comrade Ijeoma Basil Kalu, SSANU described the alleged misconduct as a “shameful abuse of power” that undermines the dignity and fundamental human rights of women in academic institutions.
The committee also rejected the existing university council committee set up to investigate the case, stating that it is biased and aimed at fault-finding rather than delivering justice.
They demanded a re-composition of the panel to ensure a fair and transparent process.
The allegations against Prof. Fasina include inappropriate comments and persistent advances towards the victim, despite her clear rejection.
The committee cited reported statements from the Vice-Chancellor such as, “I like you,” “I am dying for you,” “I like your aura,” and “Forget you are a married woman,” as evidence of sexual harassment.
SSANU insists that urgent action is needed to uphold ethical standards within the university system and protect female staff from similar abuses.
The SSANU National Women Committee demands as follows: “The immediate suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina in order to allow for a free and fair investigation of the matter.
“The immediate re-composition of the Council Committee already set up to investigate the matter and the re-construction of the Committee which is tilted toward fault finding and not resolving the matter.
“The immediate reversal of the suspension of the Branch Chairperson and Secretary Comrade Ben Faleye and Ayomikum Aluko who were only acting in the line of their duties.
“The safety and security of our members as they are victims of sexual harassment and intimidation in the work place.
“The speedy determination of the matter in a non-prejudiced manner by the Governing Council of the University.”
They called on the office of the first lady (Federal) and (State), Minister of Education, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria Labour Congress women commission, the Gender mobile, the ICPC, Stand Up for Women Society, FIDA and all other appropriate and concerned bodies to dispassionately look into the matter and see that justice is served in the matter.
“Lastly, we stand in full solidarity with our members and all other victims of sexual Harassment as we will confine to fight and advocate for a safe and just working environment,” the committee said.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learned that the ultimatum given to the committee set up by the FUOYE Governing Council expired last Friday.
On January 24, SaharaReporters reported that the Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) had constituted a nine-member committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the institution’s VC, Fasina.
This decision follows a report by SaharaReporters detailing accusations made by a female staff member, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, who alleged immoral advances by the Vice-Chancellor.
Meanwhile, in a recent statement by Dr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, National Vice-President and Chairman of SSANU, the union described the panel’s mandate as “fundamentally flawed and diversionary,” claiming it veers from addressing the primary issue at hand.
The statement, obtained by SaharaReporters, criticised the council’s approach, alleging that it undermines efforts to hold individuals accountable for actions that may tarnish the institution’s reputation.
SSANU noted that the investigation must maintain its focus on the core allegations of sexual harassment to ensure justice is served.
The union further revealed that it had communicated its position to key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Education, Labour and Employment, and Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
Other recipients of the correspondence included the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the National President of SSANU.
SSANU urged the governing council to revisit the terms of reference and ensure that the probe panel’s activities are transparent and aligned with the principles of fairness and accountability.
The statement read, “The terms of reference of the probe panel are skewed more towards investigating the source of the online media reports on the matter rather than the veracity of the immorality, sexual harassment and victimization alleged against the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina.”
The Union explained that of all the seven Terms of Reference, the first three of it are focused on the sources of the audios, the motives of the recordings, and how the recordings gained currency in the social media instead of the veracity of the allegations.
SSANU demanded the suspension of the Vice Chancellor, Fasina and recusing of six members of the investigation committee/panel to ensure credibility and integrity of the task and its eventual outcome.
It said, “We therefore specifically demand that Mr. Matthew Ngajiozor and Barrister Godwin Maxwell be asked to step aside in order to give credibility to the exercise.
“In similar vein, the Chairman of Council would recall that his first official assignment/directive was the suspension of the SSANU Chairman and Secretary over this same issue and the setting up of a committee to investigate the roles of the two union leaders.
“The committee, led by one Mrs. Nike Omoworare, submitted a report which has been countered by a minority report submitted by the SSANU representative on the committee.
“In view of the pendency of the consideration of both majority and minority reports, it would be inauspicious for the members who served on that committee, having had their modus operandi and findings faulted by SSANU through a minority report, to serve on this committee, which is effectively in continuance of the previous committee.
“Consequently, we demand the stepping down of Mrs. Nike Omoworare, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Mr. Tope Arogundade and Barrister L. A. Eni who participated in an exercise, the outcome of which has been faulted by SSANU through its representative.
“In effect, we wish to state that apart from the Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Ifeoma Ndukwu, Mr. Olusola Taiwo, and Professor Ajiboye Abiodun, all other members of the committee (six of them) lack the moral and ethical competence to sit on this committee, as their roles have been technically and vicariously compromised over the matter.”