- After months of widespread controversy and contentions from several segments of the University, three candidates have made it to the final selection stage which will determine the next Vice Chancellor of the University.
- According to a letter addressed to the Governing Council of the institution, the final selection process would be subject to a pronouncement by the University’s visitor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The stage is finally being set for the appointment of the next Vice Chancellor of the prestigious Lagos State University (LASU), after months of controversy which trailed the selection process of the University’s new Chief.
As earlier reported by EKO HOT BLOG, at the close of submission of applications, 13 professors applied from within and outside LASU for the apex seat of power in the university. The governing council decided to adopt an unconventional interview, which would require the VC- candidates to write a computer-based test.
The initially shortlisted candidates included seven internal candidates which included Prof. Akinyemi Kabir (Faculty of Science), Prof. Elias Wahab, current deputy vice-chancellor and Prof. Sena Bakre, Faculty of Science. Others are Prof. Ibiyemi-Bello Olatunji, LASUCOM, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, LASUCOM, Prof. Dideolu Awofoju (Namibia), Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, acting Provost of LASUCOM, and Prof. Ayodeji Badejo, former Dean, Faculty of Education.
Two shortlisted professors were from other institutions, while one is a don in Namibia.
Following the interview conducted on March 11, 2021, three candidates have ultimately emerged to the final selection process, bringing the appointment of the next V.C one step closer following months of widespread controversy.
According to a letter addressed to the Governing Council of the institution, the final selection process would be subject to a pronouncement by the University’s visitor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The letter reads in part:
“Dear distinguished member of Governing Council,”
“You would recall that the Pro-Chancellor AND Chairman, Governing Council, at the 125th Statutory Meeting of Council, provided update that 13 individuals applied and 9 were shortlisted for the vacant position of Vice Chancellor, LASU.”
“At the instance of the Pro-Chancellor AND Chairman, Governing Council, I am to inform you that interview was conducted to fill the vacant position on Thursday, 11th March, 2021 and, in accordance with LASU Law 2004 (amended), the following 3 candidates, in order of ranking, have been recommended to the Visitor for pronouncement of 1 as the Vice Chancellor:”
READ ALSO: LASU: VC Saga Nears End As ASUU ratifies Latest Shortlist
1. Prof. Olumuyiwa O. ODUSANYA
2. Prof. Mohammed T. IBRAHIM
3. Prof. Abiodun O. ADEWUYA
“The University still awaits the pronouncement of the Visitor regarding the outcome of the interview exercise.”
The recently concluded interview which has produced the finalists in the selection process brings to bed fierce contestations from several quarters of the institution in the wake of an earlier contentious nomination process which saw the inclusion of many unqualified candidates who purportedly lobbied themselves into contention for the elevated office.
To this end, the Visitor to LASU, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, January 8, 2021, cancelled the previous appointment exercise on the grounds that it violated set guidelines and marred by irregularities.
Consequently, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Lagos State University (LASU) had commended the decision of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to cancel the process for the selection of a new vice-chancellor for the university.
They described the selection process as “flawed, error-ridden, and inevitably controversial.”
The incoming Vice Chancellor, whoever gets the nod from the three finalists, would be charged with the mandate of consolidating upon the institution’s fortunes in recent years. Recall that the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Ranking obtained on Wednesday, ranked Lagos State University among the top 800 Universities in the world and the second best University in Nigeria as at the year 2021.
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