Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who was reinstatement by the President Muhammadu Buhari after his sack by the University’s governing council has resumed work.
Ogundipe was earlier asked to step aside pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations of infractions and gross misconduct.
Ogundipe’s resumption was greeted with excitement as he was received by members of staff of UNILAG, including top management personnel, at the Senate Building foyer.
He urged the workers to allow peace to reign in the institution.
“Let us all be united. It is not about the academic or non-academic staff; it is about UNILAG. Let us all work together and allow peace in this institution,” he said.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, Wale Babalakin, and Ogundipe, were directed to ease themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President Buhari on August 21, 2020.
The UNILAG’s Governing Council, headed by Babalakin had removed Ogundipe at its meeting in Abuja on August 12, over allegations of infractions and gross misconduct.
The council, however, appointed Prof. Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
But Ogundipe denied the allegations and subsequently approached the court to challenge his removal.
In a bid to return calm to the university, the FG asked both Ogundipe and Babalakin to “step aside”.
On Wednesday, Buhari approved the reinstatement of Ogundipe, saying his removal by the Governing Council did not follow due process.
This was as the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNILAG Branch, lauded the decision of the President to reinstate Ogundipe.
The government said the process adopted by the council in the appointment of Prof. 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.
Buhari also dissolved the Governing Council chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), who had resigned.
