To ease tension and avoid a vacuum at the University of Ibadan, UI, the National Universities Commission, NUC, has directed the governing council of the institution to appoint an acting vice-chancellor to take over from the outgoing VC, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, on Monday.
Eighteen professors, both from within and outside the 72-year old institution, are interested in the plum job that has been trailed with allegation of imposition.
However, NUC advised that one of the senate members, who is going to be selected as acting VC, must not be one of the 18 aspirants.
The lucky person, NUC explained, would serve “for a period of not more than six months as stipulated in section 3(13) and (14 ) of the Universities (Miscellaneous provisions: (Amendment) Act, 2002.”
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that the 5-year tenure of Olayinka ends November 30th, 2020.
Ordinarily, the process for the selection of a new helmsman should have been concluded but for allegation of imposition that has trailed the process.
But allegation that Olayinka favour one of his deputies, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, has halted the process, with the process about to be restarted all over.
NUC directive became expedient following the stalemate in the appointment of Olayinka’s successor.
The commission’s executive secretary, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, in a letter dated 27th November 2020 and addressed to Ui pro-chancellor, said the appointment of an acting VC was to avoid a vacuum in the administration of the university.
“You will please recall the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education on the resolution of the impasse in the process for the appointment of a new vice chancellor for the University of Ibadan.
“I write at the behest of the Executive Secretary to convey the Honourable Minister’s further directive on necessary steps to resolve the impasse and restore peace and harmony necessary for the discharge of the university’s core mandate:
“The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan is hereby directed to shift its meeting earlier scheduled for 10.00 a.m.on Monday, 30th November 2020 to discuss the issue of appointment of a new vice-chancellor to later in the afternoon on the same day.
“The university Senate should convene a special meeting for the purpose of selecting one of its members who is not a candidate in the ongoing process fur the selection of a new vice-chancellor, for recommendation to the Governing Council for appointment as acting vice-chancellor for a period of not more than six months as stipulated in section 3(13) and (14 ) of the Universities (Miscellaneous provisions: (Amendment) Act, 2002.
“In view of the fact that the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor expires on Monday 30th November 2020, it is pertinent for the Governing Council to meet in the afternoon of Monday, 30 November 2020 to consider and approve the appointment of the Senate nominee as acting vice-chancellor in order to avoid a vacuum in the administration of the university.
“Following the appointment of an acting vice-chancellor, the outgoing vice-chancellor should hand over to the acting vice-chancellor possibly on Monday 30 November 2020 or latest by Tuesday 1st of December, 2020.
“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council is also directed to attend a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education in his office on Wednesday, 2nd December 2020 at 11.00 a.m. to brief the Honourable Minister on developments following the Ministerial directives on the resolution of the impasse.”
