UNILAG Appoints Acting VC Amidst Controversy Surrounding Ogundipe’s Removal

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced Prof. Theophilus Soyombo as the acting Vice-Chancellor of institution despite controversies surrounding the removal of Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was dismissed on Wednesday over allegations of misconduct and others.

UNILAG’s Registrar and Secretary to Council Oladejo Azeez, through a press statement, said that Soyombo, who is of the Faculty of Social Sciences steer on the ship of the institution temporarily.

Speaking on Ogundipe’s removal denial said the removal followed due process fas contained in Section 17 of the University of Lagos Act.

“My attention has been drawn to a document circulating under the hand and signature of the former Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS. The letter purports to deny his removal by the Governing Council of University at its Emergency Meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I am in my capacity as Registrar and Secretary to Council the only custodian of the minutes of Council and the authorising officer on behalf of Council to issue official statements pertaining to all Council Affairs.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to totally disregard the statement attributed to the said former Vice-Chancellor. The position remains that he was lawfully removed by the Governing Council at a meeting fully attended by all Council members.

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“I also wish to use the opportunity to inform members of the public that Council at the said meeting duly appointed Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos as Vice-Chancellor of the University in an Acting Capacity,” Azeez said.

However, the UNILAG chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has pointed an accusing finger to Dr. Wale Babalakin who they believed to be the mastermind behind the removal of the VC.

The chapter has ordered an emergency Congress for Thursday at the Council Chamber foyer to discuss Ogundipe’s removal.