The Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has strongly rejected the decision of the Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) over the handling of a sexual harassment case involving the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina, and a senior staff member, Engineer Folashade Adebayo.
In a detailed statement signed by the National Vice President and Western Zonal Chairman of SSANU, Dr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, the union described the Council’s decision as unfair, morally questionable, and a dangerous precedent for Nigerian universities.
The scandal began when Engineer Adebayo reportedly recorded conversations between herself and the Vice Chancellor. In the recordings, Professor Fashina is alleged to have made several inappropriate and suggestive statements, including: “I am dying for you; I will not leave you; Make me happy and I will make you happy; I will not accept your rejection; If I had met you before now, who said I would not have married you?”
SSANU believes these statements clearly show sexual harassment and an abuse of power. However, the Governing Council, after reviewing the matter, appeared more concerned with how the recording was made rather than the content of the Vice Chancellor’s utterances. The Council reportedly accused Engineer Adebayo of blackmail and questioned why such conversations were recorded in the first place.
Reacting to this, SSANU stated: “The attempt to condemn the recording of the conversation is similar to condemning a house owner for recording an attempt by armed robbers or burglars to enter his house.”
SSANU expressed serious concern that rather than protecting the alleged victim, Engineer Adebayo, the university authorities chose to punish her. The Council sanctioned her for “bringing the institution into disrepute,” a decision SSANU described as shameful and unjust.
The union further alleged that after rejecting the Vice Chancellor’s advances, Engineer Adebayo was targeted with multiple official queries, which they believe were meant to intimidate her into silence.
“The Council failed to investigate how a superior officer with full disciplinary powers could engage in such unethical conduct towards a subordinate, instead focusing on the recording itself,” the statement read.
In addition to Engineer Adebayo, two SSANU executives at FUOYE — Comrade Benjamin Faleye (Branch Chairman) and Comrade Ayomikun Aluko (Branch Secretary) — have also been sanctioned by the university’s Governing Council. SSANU claims the two officials were punished simply for speaking up and supporting the whistleblower.
“The Council’s suggestion that it was gracious in its decision towards these officials is an insult to our intelligence. Their punishment is nothing but vindictive,” SSANU stated.
The union also revealed that the officials have been given a seven-day ultimatum to submit letters of apology or risk dismissal. SSANU views this as an underhanded move to silence unionists and punish them unjustly.
As a result of what it sees as a clear failure of justice and institutional responsibility, SSANU is calling for the immediate dissolution of FUOYE’s Governing Council. The union accused the Council of lacking integrity and failing in its duty to maintain moral standards within the institution.
SSANU is also demanding the suspension of Vice Chancellor Fashina while a new, independent investigation into the case is conducted. “The conduct of the Vice Chancellor has desecrated the office and compromised its authority over disciplinary matters,” the statement read.
In response to the perceived injustice, SSANU Western Zone says it has begun mobilising its members across all 26 universities in the region. The union is considering a possible strike if its demands are not met.
“We will not stop until justice is served. This matter has the potential to trigger a major crisis across the university system in Nigeria,” the union warned.
The union has appealed to various government agencies, lawmakers, and human rights organisations to intervene in the matter. These include:
– Honourable Minister of Education
– Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim
– Senate Committee on Education
– House Committee on Tertiary Education
– National Human Rights Commission
– Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
– National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
– Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
SSANU stressed that the issue goes beyond FUOYE and is about protecting vulnerable workers across Nigeria’s higher institutions.
“This is a national issue that concerns workplace safety, gender rights, and abuse of power. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians and institutions to support our call for justice,” the statement concluded.
Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), established in 2011, is one of Nigeria’s newer public universities. In recent years, it has been working to build a strong academic reputation. However, this scandal threatens to damage the institution’s image.
Sexual harassment remains a serious issue in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Despite increasing awareness and calls for reform, many cases go unpunished due to power dynamics, fear of victimization, and weak internal processes. This case at FUOYE, involving top university officials and union leaders, has reignited public debate on how universities handle sexual misconduct and whistleblower protection.
