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University of Lagos (UNILAG) wing of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has accused the Pro-Chancellor, Wale Babalakin (SAN) of high- handedness and acting against the set rules of the institution.
Consequently, the union has convened a congress to deliberate on the next line of action following Babalakin’s query to some principal officers of the university.
ASUU Chairman, Dele Ashiru, insisted that Babalakin has no powers under the University’s Act to unilaterally query his members.
Babalakin had issued separate queries bordering on allegations of financial impropriety to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, his predecessor, Rahamon Bello, Bursar, Lekan Lawal, his predecessor, Lateef Odekunle, a former Registrar, Taiwo Ipaye and deputy vice chancellors- Folasade Ogunsola and Oluwole Familoni.
Others are, a former deputy vice chancellor, Duro Oni; former directors of works, Niyi Ayeye and Adelere Adeniran; head of the university’s procurement unit, James Akanmu; Dean, Students Affairs, Ademola Adeleke; Director, Academic Planning, L. O. Chukwu and Director, Foundation Programme, Timothy Nubi.
Registrar, Oladejo Azeez had issued the queries on the instructions of Babalakin.
Although Babalakin did not respond to a text message on his action, it was learnt that the query followed the panel report on collapse of the university library project.
The project was underway when a section caved in few months ago. A panel was subsequently set up to look into the matter.
Acting on the panel’s report, Babalakin issued queries to all the principal officers involved in the project.
But ASUU kicked against Babalakin’s action, saying he has no right to unilaterally take such a decision.
Meanwhile, Babalakin has advocated immediate revitalisation of Nigerian universities, adding that the country’s ivory towers should improve beyond clinching number 800 in global ranking.
Speaking at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) as Chairman of the Third Annual Registry Lecture Series titled: Public Service Rules And University Administration: Re-engineering For Excellence,” he said, at least one Nigerian university should be among the top 100 in the next five years.
Babalakin, who is also the Chairman, Federal Government Renegotiation Committee with unions of Nigerian universities, said his committee had realised that for Nigeria to position itself as a leading nation, it must improve its educational system.
“We have discovered that one of the challenges of the educational system in Nigeria is funding. We have also determined the average cost of funding every course.
“For example, this means that for UNILORIN with the population of 50,000 students, based on the average cost of N1.2 million required yearly per student, the university requires N60 billion per annum to reposition itself as a first rate university in the world. Where is this money coming from?” he asked.
