By Gabriel Dike
Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cancelled the ongoing selection exercise to appointment the 9th Vice Chancellor of the instituion.
Sanwo-Olu further directed that a fresh process that would terminate in 45 days should commence immediately.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council. After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process,” he stated.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun has also been directed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice Chancellor from Monday January 11, 2021 when the tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Professor Fagbohun expires.
The Governor further directed that, the Senate should select among its members, a pro tem chairman to superintend the meeting and conduct of election of Acting Vice Chancellor.
Recalled that Concerned Academic Staff of LASU, Concerned Alumni, Dr. Dideolu Awoforu and many stakeholders had petitioned the governor and alleged irregularities and manipulation of the selection exercise the governing council and the outgoing VC.
The Governing Council was accused of shortlisting candidates that did not meet the requirements and dropped a professor abroad was qualified.
