Staff unions at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have rallied behind the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, dismissing allegations of misconduct as unfounded and politically motivated.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Congress of Nigerian Academics (CONUA), Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the unions labeled the claims as a smear campaign orchestrated by detractors ahead of the 2025 Vice-Chancellorship race.
“These tactics mirrored similar attempts in 2021, which ultimately failed when Professor Fasina emerged as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE,” the unions stated. “The current campaign will also fail, given the overwhelming support for the Vice-Chancellor from the university community.”
The allegations, outlined in a communiqué dated November 25, 2024, alleged staff intimidation, administrative recklessness, lack of financial accountability, sexual harassment, and abuse of office. The communiqué, signed by SSANU branch chairman Benjamin Faleye and secretary Ayomikun Aluko, also called for a probe into FUOYE’s finances under Professor Fasina’s leadership. However, the unions countered, describing the allegations as speculative, unsupported by evidence, and driven by political motives. “These claims are part of a coordinated effort by disgruntled individuals seeking to tarnish the Vice-Chancellor’s reputation,” said Comrade Ayeni Abraham, NASU Chairman, FUOYE Branch, and Dr. Ademola Akinsorotan, CONUA Coordinator, FUOYE.
Highlighting Professor Fasina’s accomplishments, the unions praised his administration for fostering institutional growth and prioritizing staff welfare. Over 500 non-teaching staff and 100 teaching staff have been promoted under his tenure, surpassing records of previous administrations.
Payment of hazard allowances and subsidized transportation through Tata buses have been introduced to enhance staff welfare. FUOYE has secured millions of dollars in research grants, completed over 90 infrastructural projects, and ranked as the fourth most subscribed university in Nigeria, according to JAMB.
The unions also noted that a forensic audit commissioned by the university’s Governing Council confirmed the administration’s financial transparency.
“His leadership style has earned him accolades, including an Award of Excellence from the Ekiti State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ),” the statement added.
The unions urged the FUOYE community and stakeholders to disregard the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically driven.
“Professor Fasina’s transformative leadership has significantly advanced FUOYE’s standing,” they stated.
