Scores of protesters on Thursday besieged the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, demanding the immediate suspension of Professor Abayomi Fasina, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), over allegations of sexual harassment.
The demonstrators, who came under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ekiti Deserves Better” and “Protect Our Women.”
They argued that Fasina should step aside to allow for an independent investigation into the allegations against him.
The embattled VC has been under scrutiny after a leaked voice note surfaced, implicating him in a sexual harassment case involving one of his married staff, engineer Adebayo Folashade.
Addressing journalists after submitting a petition to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the leader of the protest, Victor Adetola, stated the need for swift action to prevent further damage to the institution’s reputation.
“We have looked at the developing story that has been going on in that university, and as an organisation that is fronting for the welfare of Nigerian students and the education community in general, we cannot remain silent,” Adetola said.
He expressed concerns over delays in the ongoing disciplinary investigation, which was initially scheduled for completion within three weeks but has now stretched over six months without a resolution.
“The issue will fester if there is no thorough investigation. The institution must be sanitised. The disciplinary committee was first given a three-week ultimatum. After that, they requested another three weeks. Even with the involvement of the governing council, nothing has been done,” Adetola stated.
Beyond the sexual harassment allegations, Adetola raised concerns over corruption and administrative irregularities at FUOYE, which he claimed had persisted unchecked.
“We see that a lot of corruption has been festering. One of the most critical issues is the sexual harassment case involving a married assistant director at the school. It is imperative that the VC steps aside or that the governing council relieves him of his position so that an independent investigation can be conducted into all the petitions we have written,” he added.
The protesters submitted their petition to the Federal Ministry of Education, urging it to take decisive action.
They also vowed to escalate their demands to other relevant agencies to ensure justice is served.
“We have brought this matter to the Ministry of Education today, and we will ensure other agencies are copied. The generations coming after us deserve an environment and a society that is just and egalitarian,” Adetola added.
On January 23, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the school VC, Fasina, admitted to making romantic advances toward Adebayo and expressed frustration over the public disclosure of their interaction.
In an audio recording obtained by SaharaReporters, Fasina admitted to making romantic advances toward Adebayo and expressed frustration over the public disclosure of their interaction.
Fasina questioned Adebayo to know how their conversation was leaked to a third party.
The audio conversation went as follows:
Fasina: Why did you reveal our discussion?
Adebayo: Me! I never do such.
Fasina: Well, why I called you, somebody told me and I know it is from you.
Adebayo: I can never.
Fasina: He told me that I was even making advances toward you.
Adebayo: Me?
Fasina: It was so obvious that it was you. He said, I make advances with you, that if I’m doing that, that I should stop. Then that I even said that we gave some people money to manipulate appointment for the registrar, many things and I was like, haba! Adebayo, how could you do that to me? Nobody will know that I made advances toward you. I don’t think anyone would ever find out.Number two, nobody will know that, he said SSS called him in Abuja blah blah on the matter, so it means you have not learned your lesson. I will tell you why. You had issue with Soremekun, nothing bad in making advances to you, you have options to say no.
But don’t begin to externalize, begin to tell people, you are making a mockery of yourself because number one, you are not only the woman on the campus. Many others are also making advances with the vice-chancellor, it is not all those who make advances to me I accepted.
Many ladies make advances to me, but the point is, the fact that someone makes advances toward you does not mean you should respond. It shows no maturity and then you are exposing yourself more to danger.
Because people will know definitely that you are the architect of your problem. Somebody told me, saying, ‘What is the problem with this girl? If she has a problem with Soremekun, and she has a problem with you, what’s going on?’ The person also said, ‘It’s part of what I did for you. Even if I made romantic advances towards you, even if I did that, I apologise for it.
I have already apologized, and that’s why I blocked you on my phone. Today, I was forced to call you, but I don’t want any interaction with you, which is why I said Akin needs to be here. However, I didn’t want Akin to know about this.
Adebayo: Excuse me, sir, what you are saying is like blackmail.
Fasina: It is not blackmail; the person called me and told me, I recorded it.
Adebayo: Did you ever ask him who told him? I never called Noah, let me call him.
Fasina: He told me that even the people in DSS office are calling that this is what the situation is. I don’t even know who you discussed with, if it wasn’t you that told him, he won’t say it.He said that someone made advances toward you, harassed you, and claimed they wanted to have fun with you. He told me that if I did that, I should stop. He affirmed to me that I am a man of good standing as a Christian. If you’ve really told some people about it, please stop.
He also mentioned that they called him from the SSS office. How can someone outside know what is happening here?
Adebayo: I want you to give me a fair hearing, you remember the time you called me last that Sobowale said something.
Fasina: No, even as of yesterday night, Sobowale was in my house. Sade, let me tell you.
Adebayo: Oga, let me talk.
Fasina: I will not, I will not, because you cannot convince me.
Adebayo: I don’t need to convince you; the truth needs to be told.
Fasina: As you see me now, the mistake I ever did in my life is that I made love advances to you. If I like someone, that is my way of showing it. You are a married woman so. But the point is that I felt we should be.
For me you can go, but I have said what is on my mind and Sobowale also said it. The person that told him are up to six, and they didn’t speak very well. Sobowale said you are not mature.
Adebayo: Sir, let me say something.
Fasina said: I thought you were a good Christian. Sobowale said why would I backdate someone’s appointment? I have a plan and the passion to pursue it. If someone offends me, I will apply the same passion to dislike that person.
Adebayo: Oga, excuse me sir, let me say something.
Fasina: I brought Olaiye back and I told Olaiye that you offended me through UIK and these people, but you have learned your lesson, that’s me. And I said I have forgiven you.
Adebayo: Please, let me say something.
Fasina: If you like, be recording me ooo.
Adebayo: How would I record you? I was trying show you that I did not call him.
Fasina: No, just go ahead.
Adebayo: The number one thing is that I don’t expect you to expose our conversation to anyone. I felt bad that day, and when I called you, you said it was no problem. That’s beside the point.
You know I will never do such thing; you may not believe me.
Fasina: I have heard you. I told the management that they should be very careful with you. If someone can tell Noah that we paid money for the appointment of the registrar and bursar, that’s a serious issue.