There are allegations that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on the verge of imposing the wife of his commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, as substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU).
His wife is Professor Ibiyemi Tunji Bello, who is a lecturer at the university and a former Deputy Vice Chancellor.
The screening committee for the position for VC was completed on December 21, 2020, but on January 5, 2021, the state governor abruptly cancelled the process.
Pointblanknews.com checks reveal that 18 professors from 10 universities vied for the position. At the end of the process, three candidates were shortlisted: Professor Muyiwa Odusanya (90%), Professor Sena Bakare (70%) and Professor Kabir Akinyemi (68%).
According to Pointblanknews.com sources, Professor Tunji Bello who participated in the process was not shortlisted because performed below average.
According to our sources, the action of the governor was due to a petition by some unnamed people. However, Pointblanknews.com gathered that the petition was written by Professor Tunji Bello, who complained about the process and called for the removal of the Pro Chancellor, disbandment of the selection committee, and the disqualification of those shortlisted.
The state government had in a statement explained the action. In a statement the state said “the decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholder’s engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process”.
Curiously, the state government was not specific on who wrote the petition or what the issues or concerns were raised in the petition.
The tenure of the former VC ended January 11, 2021. One of the Deputy VC’s was made acting VC. The governor had directed the senate to select among its members to conduct a new exercise.