Nigerian government, Friday, directed the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin and the sacked Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to step aside from their official duties pending the outcome of a Special Visitation Panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the crisis rocking the institution.
The President, as visitor to the University also removed Prof. Theophilus Soyombo, the Acting Vice Chancellor appointed by Babalakin and tasked the panel to come up with workable solutions and peaceful resolutions.
“FG directs Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Councilof the University of Lagos, Dr. B. O. Babalakin and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. O. Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President.”
“The Senate is to convene urgently and appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor for the university.”
Babalakin’s Governing Council had on August 12 sacked Ogundipe as Vice Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.
Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the university’s due process had not been followed.
The university’s Senate, alumni, and labour unions also put out statements saying due process had not been followed.