Key Points

• SSANU condemns FUOYE Council for clearing Vice-Chancellor of sexual harassment allegations.

• The union demands an independent panel to investigate the case and calls for Fasina’s suspension.

• SSANU criticizes the council’s focus on the recording, accusing it of protecting the accused.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Western Zone, has strongly condemned the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) governing council for clearing Vice-Chancellor Abayomi Fasina of sexual harassment allegations made by university staffer Folasade Adebayo.

The union called for the dissolution of the university council, accusing it of lacking integrity.

Union condemns council’s decision

In a statement signed by Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU National Vice President and Chairman of the Western Zone, the union expressed disappointment with the council’s decision, which it claimed set a negative precedent in the Nigerian university system.

SSANU believes that the investigation into the allegations was compromised and criticized the university for failing to address the concerns raised by Adebayo.

“The Western Zone of SSANU is not shocked by the outcome of the meeting of the Governing Council,” the union said in a statement.

“However, it is sad to note that this decision has lowered the standards in the Nigerian university system, as the council has tried to protect the villain while victimizing the victim.”

Sexual harassment allegations and the university’s response

Adebayo, a former Director of Works at FUOYE, accused Vice-Chancellor Fasina of sexually harassing and victimizing her after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

She provided an audio recording in which Fasina could be heard asking her for an illicit relationship.

In the recording, Fasina told Adebayo, “Let me tell you, I’m dying inside for you.” When she refused, he dismissed her, saying, “You’re only speaking grammar…Someone said they like you, and you’re saying something else.”

After Adebayo’s refusal, she claimed Fasina victimized her by issuing unwarranted queries, demoting her, and criticizing her work ethic.

On April 9, 2025, the university council cleared Fasina of the allegations after reviewing the findings of an investigative committee.

The council also criticized Adebayo for recording the private conversation, calling it unethical. Additionally, the council asked Adebayo and SSANU to apologize within seven days.

SSANU denounces council’s actions and demands an independent investigation

SSANU strongly criticized the university’s council for focusing more on the recording itself rather than the content of the recording.

The union pointed out that the council did not address the fact that Fasina had repeatedly pressured his subordinate for a sexual relationship.

“We are taken aback that instead of focusing on the contents of the recording, the council focused on why the recording was made and claimed it was for blackmail,” SSANU said.

The union also rejected the council’s reference to a police investigation, clarifying that the police probe was unrelated to the sexual harassment allegations.

The investigation by the Nigerian Police Force, according to SSANU, concerned allegations of financial misconduct.

SSANU further denounced the sanctions placed on Adebayo and the punitive measures against union leaders Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, calling the actions a direct attack on whistle-blowers.

Call for a fair and independent review

SSANU demanded that the university set up an independent panel to investigate the case thoroughly.

The union also called for Fasina’s suspension until the investigation concludes. SSANU emphasized that the university must take action to protect workers’ rights and address the issue of sexual harassment in the institution.