UNILAG: Soyombo Steps Down After 10 Days As Acting VC


The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Omololu Soyombo, who was appointed by the Governing Council headed by Wale Babalakin SAN, has stepped down, after ten days in office.


Recall that the federal government had on Friday directed both Babalakin and the embattled Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, to step aside pending conclusion of investigation into the school’s crisis by its Visitation panel.

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THE WHISTLER had reported that Ogundipe was sacked by Council for an alleged financial misappropriation.
Ogundipe denied the allegation while University Senate faulted the decision of the Council on the grounds of breach of due process.


The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) nationwide, had also called for the intervention of President.


In a statement on Saturday, signed by Soyombo, he confirmed that he was stepping down to pave way for the panel and the University Senate to follow-up on the directive by the Federal Ministry of Education.

“The news of the setting up of a Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos by the Federal Govemment was received in the evening of Friday, 21st August, 2020. 

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“The government also directed the University Senate to nominate an Acting Vice-Chancellor for the University for continuation by the Governing Council. 


“With this, I am stepping down, with immediate effect, as Acting Vice-Chanccllor of the University,” he stated.
Furthermore, he thanked the University Community for its cooperation so far while urging stakeholders to continue to project the school as a shining light.


His statement further reads:
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of staff and our dear students, the staff unions, alumni and the general public for their wonderful support and cooperation in the past ten days since my appointment as Acting Viee-Chancellor of the University on 12th August, 2020. 
“As I noted in my address to a cross-section of staff on 19th August, 2020, I accepted the offer to serve as a call to service, with the objective of restoring peace and stability in the university.
” It is my prayer that the peace and stability that we so much need and desire at this time be restored very quickly so that the University of Lagos can continue to march on as the University of first Choice and the Nation‘s Pride. 
“I urge all our staff and students to continue to go about their lawful activities in a peaceful manner.
“God bless us all. Long live the University of Lagos. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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