UNILAG: Soyombo resumes as acting VC amid tight security

Security at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) senate building and council office was heightened on Monday after Omololu Soyombo assumed office as acting vice-chancellor (VC).

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the VC of the institution, was earlier removed by the varsity’s governing council during a meeting presided over by Wale Babalakin, its pro-chancellor and chairman.

The council had thereafter named Soyombo as the acting VC in a decision that a member of the council claimed ridiculed the varsity’s rules as it didn’t follow preset procedures.

Addressing workers, Soyombo, who was earlier warned by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNILAG chapter that the position of VC was not vacant, stated he had resumed effectively.

“I’ve resumed effectively as the VC and I hereby solicit the support of every member of staff, so we can work together, discharge our duties peacefully for the progress of UNILAG,” The Punch quoted him to have said.

It is understood that policemen from the Apapa division of the state were deployed to the varsity to maintain peace and order and forestall any imminent disturbance relating to his appointment.

Soyombo’s predecessor was removed over alleged financial impropriety and gross misconduct.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Universities in Nigeria (CVCUN) had earlier said that the varsity’s senate won’t recognise Soyombo as the acting vice-chancellor.

The committee had argued that the laws of the varsity state that if a VC is removed, one of the deputies should be appointed to act.

“This is going to pose another problem, senate members will not allow such a person to chair their meeting because they don’t know him within the context of laws establishing universities,” CVCUN had said.

“The challenge with this action is that the university community says the council did not follow due process; indeed, the communication from the embattled VC is clear and it is to that effect.”