UNILAG Crisis: Buhari Moves In, Suspends Babalakin, VCs as Probe Panel Investigates

Ololade Adeyanju/

President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Wale Babalakin and the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who have been at war over the management of the Federal Institution.

The President in his capacity as the Visitor to UNILAG asked Babalakin and Ogundipe to stay away and allow a Special Visitation Panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the crisis.

The 7-man panel has Prof Tukur Sa’ad as the Chairman.

The President also removed the acting VC planted by Babalakin-led Council, Prof Theophilus Soyombo and ordered the Senate to convene and properly appoint an acting VC.

According to a statement from the spokesman at the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, the presidential directive says Babalakin and Ogundipe are to recuse themselves from performing their functions in office during the period of the visitation, and the Senate is to convene urgently and appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor for the university.

The Panel is to submit its report within two weeks.

Other members of the panel are: Barr. Victor Onuoha, Prof. Ikenna Oyindo, Prof. Ekanem Braide, Prof. Adamu K. Usman, Chief Jimoh Bankole, and Barr. Grace Ekanem as Secretary.

The UNILAG Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by Dr Dele Ashiru, applauded the government’s action.