UNILAG visitation panel calls for memoranda

The special visitation panel to the University of Lagos has called for submission of memorandum from stakeholders.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the constitution of a special visitation panel to look into the crisis at the university following the recent developments that lead to the removal of the vice chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, by the Governing Council led by its chairman and pro-chancellor, Wale Babalakin.

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Buhari had asked both Professor Ogundipe and Babalakin to stay away from official duties pending the outcome of the report of the special panel.

The visitation panel headed by Professor Tukur Sa’ad was inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on Wednesday in Abuja and has two weeks to submit its report.

According to a statement issued by the secretary to the panel, Barrister Grace Ekanem, members are to review the report of the council sub-committee on review of expenditure of the university since May 2017 and make appropriate recommendations after affording all those indicted an opportunity to defend themselves.

They are also mandated to examine the steps taken by the council leading to the removal of  Professor Ogundipe and ascertain whether due process was followed as stipulated in the university’s (miscellaneous provisions) (amendment) Act, 2003 and the principle of fair hearing adhered to, among other things.

Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has faulted the composition and membership of the panel.

The president of the association, Comrade Samson Chijioke Ugwoke, in a letter dated August 24, 2020 addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, alleged that the crisis in UNILAG had the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a major participant.

It added that the composition of the panel with a preponderance of professors who are members of ASUU is an indication that the decisions of the panel would be tampered with by ASUU.