Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has reinstated the embattled vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was suspended in August.
The president also dissolved the Governing Council of the university, formerly chaired by Wale Babalakin.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, said the president hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the university.
According to President Buhari, the initial removal of Ogundipe by the governing council did not follow due process.
“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,” he said.
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According to the statement, “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 a thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.
“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.
“The Governing Council should be dissolved.”
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had earlier in September received the report of the Visitation Panel on behalf of the Federal Government.
He assured that the recommendations of the panel will be thoroughly scrutinised with the aim of full implementation.
