By The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has said the governor’s decision to cancel the selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor for the Lagos State University was prompted by violation of the guidelines placed in the advert for the position.
Wahab, in an interview with The Punch, said his principal, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took the best decision in the interest of the University, following the barrage of petitions and complaints from different stakeholders directed to his office.
“Mr Governor, after due consultations, felt strongly, and advisedly so, that the guidelines were not strictly complied with; the guidelines placed in the advert on the position of the VC of LASU were not strictly complied with. So, to avoid any form of ambiguity, what the governor has now asked them to do is let the same panel put up an advert that is explicit on what the requirements and guidelines are for who wants to be the VC of LASU,” he explained.
He said by extant laws of the Lagos State University, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, will act as the Vice Chancellor for the next 45 days, pending when the process is completed.
The aide also reacted to allegations that one of the earlier selected candidates, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who is the wife of a serving commissioner in the state, was unduly favoured.
He said, “How can people be saying such? Is she a professor? Can she apply? Is she qualified to apply? If she is qualified, why must she be disqualified because her husband is a commissioner in Lagos? Let us not discriminate against anybody. We want the best; and to have the best, we must have a very transparent process.”
He added that the State government would be meeting the University’s Governing Council to ensure a rancour-free selection process.
BlackBox Nigeria reported on Friday that Lagos State governor and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu cancelled the ongoing process set up for the appointment of a substantive ninth Vice Chancellor of the institution.
