Report Of The Special Visitation Panel To University Of Lagos Finds Ogundipe Untainted

• Nigerian Leader, Buhari Greenlights Reinstatement Of Suspended VC

By Ifeoma Asika, Correspondent Campuses

The Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos(UNILAG) has established that the institutions’s suspended Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe is without stain and following its recommendation, Nigerian Leader, Muhammadu Buhari and Visitor to the University of Lagos, has approved the panel’s Report.

A statement by the Director Press and Public Relations Federal Ministry of Education, Ben-Bem Goong says the Panel’s recommendations received approval in toto.

The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by Buhari are as follows:

i) The removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor did not follow due process.

ii) The Vice Chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated.

iii) All allegations made against the Vice Chancellor and the management of the University before and after the Constitution of the Special Visitation Panel should be referred to regular Visitation Panel for thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.

iv) The process adopted by the Council in the appointment of Professor Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University was inconsistent with the provisions of the Law relating to the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor.

v) The Governing Council should be dissolved.

According to Goong, Mr. President after careful review of the report, had approved all the recommendations of the Panel.

Accordingly:

i) Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

ii) The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved.

Mr. President hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the University.