In an earlier statement, the Vice-Chancellor dismissed reports accusing her administration of maladministration, insisting that all major decisions of the university are taken through duly constituted committees and in line with extant regulations.
Tension continues to mount at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto-Ijanikin, as university staff and union sources have strongly faulted the recent rebuttal issued by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye.
The rebuttal had been over allegations bordering on unpaid salary arrears, promotion irregularities, victimisation of union leaders, and alleged financial mismanagement.
In an earlier statement, the Vice-Chancellor dismissed reports accusing her administration of maladministration, insisting that all major decisions of the university are taken through duly constituted committees and in line with extant regulations.
She also maintained that government funds released to the institution were properly utilised, particularly for accreditation exercises.
However, in a detailed response made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday staff sources within the university described the Vice-Chancellor’s rebuttal as “evasive” and “misleading,” accusing her of failing to address critical issues raised by staff.
One of the key issues raised relates to the alleged non-payment of the December bonus as directed by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Visitor to the university.
According to the sources, the Vice-Chancellor failed to implement the governor’s directive in full, allegedly paying staff less than the approved amount.
They claim that since the inception of her tenure, the December bonus has never been paid at 100 percent.
“Presently, staff are owed about 170 percent of the December bonus as directed by the governor,” the sources alleged, describing the situation as a blatant disregard for the authority of the Visitor to the university.
While Prof Lafiaji-Okuneye had earlier stated that committees, not personal discretion, drive decision-making at LASUED, staff sources insist that the committees are heavily influenced by the Vice-Chancellor.
They alleged that at Senate meetings, her views are imposed through intimidation, claiming that “her words are final” and dissenting opinions are discouraged.
On the issue of staff promotions, the sources raised concerns over what they described as irregular placement of some non-teaching staff.
They explained that under existing guidelines, a staff member with a first degree can only be placed on Grade Level 7, while progression to Levels 8 or 9 requires a higher degree such as a Master’s or PhD.
However, they alleged that some staff, including unconfirmed employees, were placed on Grade Levels 11 and 13 without meeting the required criteria.
“These staff were unduly favoured, and we are aware of their affiliations with the Vice-Chancellor,” the sources claimed, further alleging that some of them act as informants within the system.
The suspension of Comrade Fowowe, a union leader, has also remained a flashpoint. Staff sources argued that the second suspension would not have occurred if the unionist had remained silent on labour issues.
They questioned why another staff member, Mr. Muyiwa Asimolowo, who allegedly occupies the same office and was not present during the incident in question, was neither queried nor sanctioned.
“This selective punishment is a clear case of double standards and witch-hunting,” the sources alleged.
They further criticised the Vice-Chancellor’s claim that a previous panel only issued a warning due to “political solutions,” questioning how an allegedly independent committee could be politically influenced.
Despite acknowledging that the Lagos State Government released substantial funds for accreditation, staff sources questioned how the money was utilised.
They claimed that while about ₦2 billion was reportedly released for the exercise, departments received only ₦2 million each, while deans allegedly received ₦3 million each — amounts they said were insufficient to meet accreditation demands.
As a result, lecturers across cadres were allegedly compelled to contribute personal funds to support accreditation activities.
The sources also alleged that laptops and printers procured for departments were refurbished items that became faulty within 16 months, adding that no new equipment was supplied to departments outside the Vice-Chancellor’s immediate office.
In addition, they accused the Vice-Chancellor of prioritising the purchase of new official vehicles for herself and senior council officials while departments lacked basic logistics for accreditation.
According to the sources, the cumulative effect of these issues has created an atmosphere of fear within the university.
“The problem is that we have a Vice-Chancellor who is very powerful, and nobody dares to tell her the truth,” the statement claimed.
Staff and union sources are now calling on the Lagos State Government, regulatory agencies, and other relevant authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations to restore trust and industrial harmony at LASUED.