By Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, ordered the immediate dissolution of the Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU) and removal of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo.
The decision followed a report submitted by the Special Visitation Panel on the appointment of the 9th Vice-Chancellor for the state-owned institution.
This indicated the implementation of recommendations in the 60-page report submitted by the panel chaired by former VC of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and made available to newsmen on Friday, the governor directed the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Management of the institution to elect new council members from the Senate and that members of the Joint Council and the Senate Committee who participated in previous two failed exercises on 9th Vice-Chancellor appointment be exempted from participating in the new exercise.
Sanwo-Olu directed that the Registrar and Secretary to Council proceed on compulsory leave until the process for appointment of the Vice-Chancellor is completed.
The governor said the council led by the former Pro-chancellor engaged in activities that were flagrant contravention of extant laws, breach of due process, failure, and total disregard to follow its own laid down criteria guiding the process for the appointment of a 9th Vice-Chancellor as publicly advertised.
As a result, the governor invoked Lagos State University Law, Cap L69 volume 7, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (as amended), and cancelled the second exercise carried out to appoint the 9th Substantive Vice-Chancellor for the institution and ordered that another fresh process commence immediately.
“The registrar, having failed to advise the Joint Council and Senate Committee against taking wrong decisions, which were against the provision of the law during the two failed exercises of 2020 and 2021, should proceed on leave and an acting registrar will superintend over the new exercise,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
“The Acting Vice-Chancellor is to forward to the Governor/Visitor through the Surrogate Council (Special Adviser on Education) the list of all the Deputy Registrars of Lagos State University for the purpose of appointing an Acting Registrar for the University.
“The Governor/Visitor following the recommendation of the Special Visitation Panel, shall be setting up a full Visitation Panel for Lagos State University immediately”.
