In the light of the criminal charge faced by Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Mr Olusola Oyewole, the Senate of the university on Thursday, 1st December, 2016, said it has started the process for the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor.

The incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Olusola Oyewole, is currently facing a charge alongside two others for alleged misappropriation of N800 million belonging to the university. The three including the chairman of the university’s governing council, Adeseye Ogunlewe, were granted bail after they were charged to court by the anti-graft EFCC.

However, the Senate of the university stressed that the search for Mr. Oyewole’s successor had nothing to do with his trial, as his tenure will end in the first quarter of next year. In fact, the body reaffirmed its confidence in Mr. Oyewole’s ability to continue to provide academic and administrative leadership to the university until his tenure runs out next year.

The university’s spokesman, Emi Alawode, explained that the commencement of the selection process was in line with the laws governing the university. The Senate stated that it reserved comment on the allegations against some officers of the university, as the matter was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Senate also expressed satisfaction with all measures taken by the Governing Council and the university management to ensure peace, security and unfettered academic activities in the institution.

The body, however, said it had “deep concern over the emerging trend in Nigerian universities, where some persons or group of persons in the guise of unionism, acting alone or in concert with internal and external influences, seek to control the levers of administration and undermine the peace and harmony in the system”.

It thus re-affirmed its resolve to uphold the laws of the University and ensure discipline and good governance at all times.