In a dramatic twist of a story that caught many unawares, the Buhari administration has reinstated the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was sacked by the university’s governing council, chaired by Dr Wale Babalakin for financial mismanagement.
The Wale Babalakin-led Governing Council of the University was also dissolved by the Presidency.
Ben-Bem Goong, spokesman of the Federal Ministry of Education, said:
“President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University of Lagos has approved the Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos.
“The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by Mr. President are as follows:
*The removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor 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.
* 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 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.
