Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yielding to intense pressure, has cancelled the ongoing process set up for the appointment of the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).
In a statement released on behalf of the Governor by his Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile,the Governor directed that a fresh process that would terminate in 45 days should commence immediately.
The statement released informed that, “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 Governor further stated that “The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has also been directed to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing 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 the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fagbohun expires.
“The Governor further directed that the Senate should select among its members, a pro tem chairman to superintend the meeting and conduct the election of Acting Vice-Chancellor.”
Following the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent VC of LASU, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, on Monday, January 11, 2021, a joint Selection Committee of the Senate and Council was set up by the university to interview candidates for the position.
The Committee had commenced the process of appointment of the new VC and reports had it that three persons had been shortlisted for the position for onward transmission to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the final selection of one of the candidates for the job.
There had been pressures from several quarters agitating for the appointment of an Indigene of Lagos State for the coveted position.
