12, APRIL 2025
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has accused the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fashina, of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation, coercion, and union suppression against its members.
In a statement released on Friday, the National Vice President of SSANU, Comrade Dr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, through the Zonal Secretary, Hamzat Fajoye Oyelere, called on the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC); the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission; the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and the National President of SSANU, to urgently intervene.
The union accused Professor Fashina of cqqqollaborating with key university officials — including the Registrar and Bursar — toforce staff into disowning the national leadership of SSANU.
According to the statement, “It has come to our notice that Professor Abayomi Fashina, with the connivance of the Registrar, Bursar and other unscrupulous and unprincipled elements, is compelling SSANU members across various units and departments to sign a yet-to-be-drafted document aimed at disclaiming the position of the SSANU National body.”
The Bursar, Mrs. Bolanle Debo-Ajagunna, was singled out for her particularly aggressive role in the matter, allegedly threatening staff under her supervision to comply or face severe consequences.
“This action is not only criminal but is a deliberate attempt to undermine the collective will of our union and suppress the legitimate concerns of staff,” the union stated.
SSANU described the current atmosphere within FUOYE as one of “fear, victimisation, and undue harassment,” with staff reportedly warned of dire repercussions should they refuse to sign the disputed document.
“These threats are not only unethical but also a gross violation of the rights of workers to freely associate and express their opinions without fear of victimisation,” SSANU stated.
The union further alleged that the university’s Governing Council had been complicit in the situation, refusing to intervene due to what it called an “incestuous relationship” with the Vice-Chancellor.
“No effort is being spared by the compromised and biased Council to cover Professor Abayomi Fashina from the case of sexual harassment and serial financial and ethical infractions he has perpetrated in the university,” the statement claimed.
SSANU explained that the actions of the Vice-Chancellor and other university leaders are driven by fear of being held accountable.
“This move is a desperate attempt to shield themselves from accountability and cling to their positions, even at the expense of staff welfare and industrial harmony,” the union said.
“Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with the union to address pressing concerns, the University Management has resorted to intimidation tactics, further worsening the already tense industrial relations in FUOYE.”
In its call to action, SSANU urged the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other stakeholders to urgently intervene.
“We condemn in strongest terms this act of intimidation and coercion by the University Management. We urge the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Executive Secretaries of the NUC and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the general public, to call Professor Abayomi Fashina to order before the situation escalates.”
The union also encouraged its members to remain steadfast in the face of intimidation, assuring them of full legal and industrial support.
“We urge all SSANU members and staff of FUOYE to remain resolute and not succumb to these threats. SSANU will take all necessary legal and industrial actions to protect their rights.”
SSANU, however, warned of possible disruptions to academic and administrative activities if the current situation persists.
“We will not allow the rights of our members to be trampled upon by an overbearing and desperate Management. SSANU remains committed to protecting the welfare of its members and ensuring justice and fairness in FUOYE.”
The union also called on civil society groups, the labour movement, and the Nigerian public to support their cause, describing the Vice-Chancellor’s actions as “tyranny” that must be resisted.
On April 10, SaharaReporters reported that the Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has criticised the Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), for its handling of a sexual harassment case involving the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fashina, and a Deputy Director, Engineer Folashade Adebayo.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Comrade Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, National Vice President and Western Zone Chairman of SSANU, the union expressed deep disappointment at what it described as a “compromised” investigation and an “attempt to protect the villain while further victimising the victim.”
SSANU claimed that the decisions made by the Council during its meeting on Tuesday, April 8, were not only anticipated but also set a disturbing precedent in Nigeria’s university system.
“Yet, what did we expect? Can a cockroach be innocent in a gathering of fowls?” the statement read, highlighting what the union called a biased and flawed process.
The union accused the Council of ignoring the power dynamics between the Vice Chancellor and his subordinate while discrediting critical evidence such as audio recordings that captured the Vice Chancellor allegedly making inappropriate advances toward Engineer Adebayo.
“We are shocked that the Governing Council saw nothing reprehensible in a conversation where the Vice-Chancellor made the following utterances: ‘I am dying for you; I will not leave you; Make me happy and I will make you happy… I will not accept your rejection,’” SSANU stated.
Although the Council acknowledged the existence of the recordings, it reportedly failed to subject them to forensic analysis and instead focused on questioning the motive behind the recordings — suggesting they were meant for blackmail.
“Rather than be disturbed about the unequal balance of power… the Governing Council focused on the recording of the conversations,” the union noted, likening the Council’s reaction to “condemning a house owner for recording an armed robbery attempt.”
Furthermore, the union described as false the Council’s assertion that there was no official complaint of sexual harassment against Professor Fashina.
“To claim that Engineer Folashade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment… is a barefaced and brazen lie,” SSANU stated.
It also dismissed a police report cited by the Council which allegedly absolved the Vice Chancellor, noting that the report was from the Special Fraud Unit and related only to financial misconduct, not sexual harassment.
The union rejected all disciplinary actions taken against Engineer Adebayo, as well as sanctions meted out to the FUOYE SSANU Branch Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, respectively.
“The motive of demanding letters of apology within seven days is not lost on us… It is a vindictive attempt to engineer their dismissal,” Salaam alleged.
Calling for immediate government intervention, SSANU demanded the dissolution of the FUOYE Governing Council and the suspension of Professor Fashina pending an independent investigation.
“The Governing Council has failed the integrity test… Their continued stay in office puts a big question mark on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the union said.
SSANU urged the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Tunji Alausa, to act decisively and called on other institutions, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, ICPC, NAPTIP, National Human Rights Commission, and the National Assembly committees on Education and Women Affairs, to investigate the matter.
The union warned that it had commenced mobilisation across all 26 universities in the Western Zone for possible industrial action.
“We shall not stop until our demands are met,” SSANU added.
(www.naija247news.com)
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