FG inaugurates 7-member presidential panel on UNILAG crisis

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has inaugurated a seven-member presidential panel to look into the crisis in the University of Lagos (UniLag) and submit recommendations that would put the school back on course. Adamu, at the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, charged members of the panel to conclude its assignment and submit its […]

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has inaugurated a seven-member presidential panel to look into the crisis in the University of Lagos (UniLag) and submit recommendations that would put the school back on course.

Adamu, at the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, charged members of the panel to conclude its assignment and submit its report within two weeks from the time of the inauguration.

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According to him, members, by the terms of reference of this panel, are expected to view the report of the council sub-committee on review of the university of Lagos since May 2017 and make appropriate recommendations, after affording all those indicted an opportunity to defend themselves.

“ They are to examine the steps taken by the council leading to the removal of the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, and ascertain whether due process was followed as stipulated in the universities amendment act 2003, and the principle of fair hearing adhered to.

“To determine whether the process (if any) leading to the appointment of the acting Vice-chancellor for the university was consistent with the provisions of the enabling Act.

“To make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions for all those found culpable by the special visitation team, on allegations contained in the report as well as other subsequent actions arising therefrom.

“And make any recommendations that will assist government to take decisions that will ensure peaceful, stable and effective administration of the university,” he said.

Adamu, however, urged stakeholders in the University to fully cooperate with the panel and to allow it to work unhindered.

Responding, the Chairman of the panel, Prof. Tukur Sahad, thanked the minister for finding the members of the committee worthy of carrying out the national assignment.

He promised that they will put in their best to ensure the resolution of  the crisis rocking the university while calling on the university’s  governing council as well as the university senate to give them full cooperation in the course of discharging their duty.

Crisis started rocking the university after the sacking the vice-chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on August 12 over allegations of infractions and gross misconduct by the school’s Governing Council, headed by Dr Wale Babalakin.

The federal government has suspended both Babalakin and Prof. Ogundipe pending the outcome of the investigations to be carried out by the Sahad-led panel.

Other panel members include: Prof. Adamu Usman, Board Chairman, UBEC; Prof. Ikenna Onyedo, former Vice-chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike and Prof. Ekanem Braid, former Vice-chancellor, Cross River State University.

The rest are: Prof. Victor Onoha, Alhaji Jimoh Bankole, a former Bursar, University of Ibadan and Mrs Grace Ekanem, Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Education.