LASU appoints Damola Oke acting as Vice Chancellor

Etim Effiong

The Lagos State University’s Senate has appointed Damola Oke as the acting vice-chancellor of the institution.

Oke, who was appointed the acting VC of the university during an emergency senate meeting on Monday, was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration in the institution.

The Lagos State governor and Visitor to the university, Mr Babajide Sanwol-Olu had cancelled the process set up for the appointment of a substantive ninth Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Sanwo-Olu thereafter directed that a fresh process that would end in 45 days should begin immediately.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, noted that Sanwo-Olu’s decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders’ engagement, which were orchestrated by many petitions against the selection process.

He said in the statement: “Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council.

“After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process.”

The outgoing VC, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, was directed by the to convene an emergency Senate meeting to appoint one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice Chancellor from Monday January 11, 2021 when Fagbohun tenure expires.

Sanwo-Olu, however, directed that the Senate should select among its members, an interim chairman to preside over the meeting and conduct of election for the appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor.

The committee was mandated to present the names of the three best candidates for the job for onward transmission to the Visitor (the Lagos State Governor) for the final selection of one successful candidate for the job.

It was learnt that more than 18 professors from about universities applied for the job. But there was controversy over the qualifications of some candidates selected to replace Fagbohun.