The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the ongoing crisis between the management of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and that of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja.
The development led to the recent announcement of the banning of the current rector of the faculty of medicine, Abiodun Adewuya, by the vice-chancellor of the university, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, both professors.
LASU on Sunday announced the interdiction of Mr Adewuya over allegations of insubordination and unauthorised disclosure of official information.
The NMA, in a letter to the governor signed by its president and secretary, Saheed Kehinde and Hassan Jimoh respectively, expressed concern over the recurring disciplinary actions, including banning, against the university vice-chancellors.
He condemned the banning of Mr Adewuya by the management led by Mrs Olatunji-Bello, saying the development “is becoming worrying and smirks of some lingering ego and turf war in the relationship between the university and the faculty leaders over time.”
NMA said only urgent intervention by Mr Sanwo-Olu could prevent further degeneration of the crisis.
Provost's interdiction
In a memorandum with reference number LASU/ASE/PF/3394, and dated August 30, the university said some of the rector's actions constituted serious misconduct and violated university regulations.
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PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm what the issues were between the VC and the vice-chancellor. However, there are speculations that the hostility between them arose from the state government’s plan to upgrade the medical college into a full-fledged university of medical sciences.
The upgrade is reportedly being handled by the state government without the university's consent, a decision the university management finds objectionable.
The rector is believed to be supporting the measure against the interests of the university management.
The memo announcing Mr Adewuya’s interdiction reads in part: “Prior to the interdiction, Professor Adewuya had received two separate inquiries regarding the allegations, to which he responded.
“However, the Vice-Chancellor found these responses unsatisfactory and unacceptable and therefore referred the case to the Joint Disciplinary Committee of the Council and Senate for further investigation.”
According to the university, the ban, which came into effect on September 3, will initially last for three months, during which he will be relieved of all official duties.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor appointed LASUCOM Vice-Chancellor, Olufemi Idowu, as Acting Chancellor, “pending the outcome of the investigation by the Joint Council-Senate (Academic) Disciplinary Committee on Professor Adewuya.”
NMA concerns
In the letter, the NMA called the development “unhealthy” and “likely to unnecessarily derail the university’s progress.”
He said it was the second time in six years that a LASUCOM rector had been intercepted.
The letter reads in part: “The university has thrived excellently and has expanded both in scope and capacity and has become a major training centre for different categories of health workers in Lagos State and the sub-region.
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“However, we are concerned that this current ban by the Chancellor, who has steered the affairs of the university brilliantly over the past two years or so with identifiable giant steps and palpable stability, is likely to derail the progress of the university unnecessarily.”
The association commended Mr Adewuya’s leadership, saying that during the period of his leadership, “he urged the governor to use his position as Visitor of the University to resolve the dispute and avert further crisis in the university.”