UNILAG governing council sacks Vice Chancellor, Professor Toyin Ogundipe

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Olawatoyin Ogundipe, has been sacked by the governing council of the institution.

Ogundipe’s removal was announced during the meeting of the Governing Council of the institution which held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) building in Abuja on Wednesday August 12.

Seven members of the council voted for the removal of Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor while four others voted against the motion for his sack. One of the members voted that he should rather be placed on suspension. The meeting was presided over by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN). He is expected to announce a new Vice-Chancellor of the University by 5pm today.

A statement released by the council states that Ogundipe was removed for acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.

“The general public is hereby notified that at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday 12 August 2020 and in accordance with the statutory power vested in it by law, the Governing Council of the University of Lagos removed Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS from office as Vice Chancellor of the University with immediate effect.
“The decision was based on the Council’s investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness, and abuse of office against Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe.”the statement read

However, members of the University’s Senate have vowed to resist the move to unseat Ogundipe. A representative of the school’s Senate who was at the council meeting, Prof. Bola Oboh sent a message to other members of the senate. It reads:

”Dear Senate members, the University of Lagos regulation has been stepped on and ridiculed.
Babawale Babalakin, the Pro-Chancellor waited for the tenure of Prof. Chukwu and Prof. Familoni to end, to call an Emergency Council meeting. Based on the Dagari report, without allowing the VC defend himself, the Pro-Chancellor called for a vote for the removal of the VC.
I (Prof. Oboh), Prof. Odukoya, Prof. Leshi and John Momoh voted against the removal of the VC. Six persons (excluding Babalakin) voted for. Babalakin then went ahead to announce the removal of the VC.
Dear Senate members, the procedure for removal of persons in office is clear and this was pointed out to Babalakin several times but he turned deaf ears.
He said he will announce the Ag. Vice Chancellor at 5pm. I have excused myself that I need to report to Senate members the shameful act currently ongoing. Please let us arise to fight this.”