By Mohammed Bello Doka
The National Association of University Students (NAUS), the apex body representing Nigerian university students both at home and abroad, has called on the Honourable Minister of Education to urgently address the crisis engulfing the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). In a strongly worded petition submitted to the Ministry, NAUS expressed deep disappointment over the lack of response to a verified petition submitted earlier by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on May 2nd, 2025.
NAUS, under the leadership of Comrade Josiah Peter Oche, accused the Ministry of Education of treating the grave allegations raised against the FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, with unwarranted silence. Describing the crisis as a moral, ethical, and institutional collapse, NAUS called for urgent intervention to save the integrity of the Nigerian university system and to protect the rights and welfare of students.
According to the statement, NAUS independently investigated the allegations raised in the NANS petition and found them to be credible. It particularly spotlighted the case of sexual harassment raised by Engr. Folashade Adebayo, a member of the SSANU FUOYE branch. The association claimed that Prof. Fasina has enabled and mentored a network of academic staff that routinely exploit female students in exchange for grades, with a culture of impunity thriving under his watch.
One of the cited cases involved Dr. Agbegbedia of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, a close associate of the Vice-Chancellor, who allegedly failed a female student for rejecting his sexual advances. Despite being exposed by an independent re-marking, the lecturer was allegedly promoted rather than punished. The association pointed to disturbing audio evidence provided by Engr. Adebayo which, despite its severity, has been ignored by the Ministry.
Furthermore, NAUS condemned the action of the FUOYE Governing Council, chaired by Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, for suspending SSANU executives while shielding the Vice-Chancellor. The association also reminded the Minister of the murder of a student named Modupe two years ago, allegedly due to the administration's failure to act on security warnings.
The association listed several other troubling issues, including:
Unlawful dismissal of outspoken staff,
Mismanagement of university funds,
Embezzlement through fraudulent TETFund projects,
Intimidation of whistleblowers,
Illegal accounts and manipulated procurement processes.
NAUS further discredited the recent rejoinder issued by FUOYE's Students’ Union Government (SUG) in support of Prof. Fasina, claiming that the SUG leadership has been compromised and no longer represents the students’ collective interest. The association warned that the manipulation by Prof. Fasina and the SUG's actions could trigger violent unrest on campus.
In light of these revelations, NAUS made the following demands:
1. Immediate removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina within 72 hours.
2. Suspension of Senator Victor Udo Udoma SAN, Chairman of the FUOYE Governing Council.
3. Formation of an independent panel to investigate all sexual harassment claims, especially that of Dr. Agbegbedia.
4. Special audit of FUOYE's financial records.
5. Protection for whistleblowers, including SSANU officials and Dr. Ngozi Ole.
6. A public statement acknowledging the institution’s failures and a plan to restore justice and academic integrity.
The association issued a 72-hour ultimatum from the date of the letter, warning that failure to act would lead to mass student protests, including a peaceful shutdown of FUOYE campuses starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025. They also announced plans for demonstrations at the Ministry of Education, the National Assembly, and the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, along with an international media campaign to highlight the crisis and defend the image of Nigerian education globally.
NAUS concluded by expressing faith in the Honourable Minister's commitment to truth, justice, and the welfare of Nigerian students, urging him to rise to the occasion before the situation spirals out of control.
Attached: Full Letter by NAUS to the Honourable Minister of Education
Signed:
Comr. Josiah Peter Oche
National President, NAUS
Dated: 5th May 2025
