Gbenro Adesina
Following the directive of the Federal Government, Senate members of the University of Lagos have elected Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services as an acting Vice-Chancellor.
A Professor of Medical Microbiology, Ogunsola, who specialises in disease control, particularly HIV/AIDS, was an ex-provost of the institution’s College of Medicine.
In an emergence meeting summoned to elect an acting Vice Chancellor, Ogunsola and Professor Ben Ogbojafor were nominated for the position.
This was followed by an election, which resulted in Ogunsola scoring 135 out of 167 votes and Ogbojafor scored 31 votes. One void vote was recorded.
Chairman of the Senate Emergency Committee, Prof. Chioma Agomo, announced the result.
Ii would be recalled that on August 12, 2020, the institution’s former VC, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, was sacked in Abuja in a meeting presided over by the institution’s pro-chancellor and chairman of the council, Wale Babalakin (SAN).
Following this development, Babalakin appointed a Professor of Sociology, Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo, who was rejected by the entire university community, the Senate, ASUU and non-academic staff.
Sequel to this the Federal Government stepped into the crisis by asking Babalakin and the sacked VC, Ogundipe, to step aside, while the Senate elect Acting VC.
The Federal Government also set up a Special Visitation Panel, which is to submit the report of their recommendations within two weeks.
The Panel is headed by Professor Tukur Sa’ad. Other members are Barrister Victor Onuoha, Professor Ikenna Onyido, Professor Ekanem Braide, Professor Adamu K. Usman and Chief Jimoh Bankole, as members, while Barrister Grace Ekanem, serves as Secretary.
