ASUU, others kick against suspension of UNILAG convocation

Opeyemi Adelere

The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, has kicked against the indefinite postponement of the institution’s 51st convocation ceremony.

The denunciation came on the heels of a conflict of interest between the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Wale Babalakin and the management of the university.

- Advertisement -

Recall that the postponement was ordered by the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission following an allegation by the pro-chancellor that the management failed to obtain the approval of the institution’s council.

ASUU Chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru, described the action as unfair and overbearing, adding that the postponement was viewed as wicked, inhuman, egoistic, retrogressive, unconscionable and satanic by the members of the union.

- Advertisement -

He said the latest antics of the pro-chancellor had further confirmed the union’s age-long fears about the destructive machinations of the pro-chancellor in the University of Lagos, in particular, and the entire Nigerian university system in general.

Ashiru said the Ministry of Education’s failure to investigate the pro-chancellor’s claim before asking the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission to advise the vice-chancellor to suspend the university’s convocation ceremony was a blatant erosion of academic freedom and university autonomy.

Babalakin, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, had petitioned the vice-chancellor and copied the Minister of Education, Minister of State for Education and the NUC, citing “unlawful actions” in the build-up to the event.

The university community is worried that the pro-chancellor could deny knowledge of the convocation programme despite his contributions, as council minutes showed.