The Governing Council of Lagos State University (LASU) has been admonished not to succumb to political pressure to recall a lecturer earlier dismissed over gross misconduct.
The appeal was made by a group, the “Concerned LASU Students”, who introduced themselves as “direct victims of one of the episodes that were investigated which led to the dismissal of Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannda.”
In a statement signed by its leader, Comrade Tajudeen Alausa, the students frowned at what they termed an ongoing spirited effort by some political interests to politicise the matter with a view to facilitating the reversal of the disciplinary action taken in 2025.
“Recall that the LASU management had set an inquiry to look into our catalogue of grievances including high-handedness and traumatic humiliation we had suffered at the hands of Professor Abanikannda including a particularly sadistic incident in which he forced us to stand in heavy rainfall during Farm Practical Year at the Epe Campus for no justifiable reason,” said Alausa.
Following the adoption of the report of a disciplinary committee, the LASU management had in July 2025 relieved Professor Abanikannda of his job as the Dean of the School of Agriculture (Epe Campus).
In a termination letter dated July3, 2025 and signed by LASU Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Emmanuel Fanu, LASU found the former dean guilty of four offences including “subjecting 400-level students of the School of Agriculture to inhumane treatment by keeping them on the farm from 6.30AM to 10PM, without break, food and water, even during the torrential rain fall that lasted between 4.45PM (and) 6PM.”
The “Concerned Students” claimed to be aware of subterranean moves by some powerful individuals to upturn the earlier decision by the Governing Council and facilitate Abanikannda’s return to continue from where he stopped.
“We have it on a good authority that some lobbyists have mounted a well-funded campaign to reinstate Abanikannda. Just as we also understand one of those currently aspiring to become vice chancellor when the tenure of the present VC (Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello) ends has promised to reinstate a man found guilty of such grave unethical conduct,” said Alausa.
The concerned students vowed to resist any such action.
“We don’t care who becomes the next VC, but we will resist any attempt to bring back Abanikannda. That will a slap on our faces and an attempt to reopen our wounds,” he added.
