In what appeared like firing another salvo, the National Association of University Students (NAUS), at the weekend declared to Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam’s led Western zonal branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), to perish the thought of disrupting the peace of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), over its unthoughtful rejection of the decision of the University’s Governing Council on the alleged sexual harassment against the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
While Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a senior staff of FUOYE , had not put it in writing the allegation of sexual harassment against the VC, SSANU FUOYE local branch chairman, Benjamin Faleye and his Secretary, Ayomikun Aluko signed a Communique made available to the media alleging sexual harassment of Mrs. Adebayo by the Vice-Chancellor. The action of the duo has caused a lingering media trial of the VC as the media has been awash with reports of the yet to be proved allegation since last year.
FUOYE Governing Council, led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) on April 8, declared Prof. Fasina innocent of the allegation on grounds that Adebayo didn’t accuse him in writing of the said sexual assault and had also penned in her statement before the police that she was never sexually harassed by Prof. Fasina. But Salaam in a statement reacting to the Council’s decision on April 9, insisted that there was an allegation of sexual harassment against the VC and threatened to bring a disruptive industrial action to FUOYE campus if Prof. Fasina is not suspended.
Angered by this strange action by Salaam’s team of SSANU, NAUS in a press statement released at the weekend, and signed by Comrade Ologe John Oluwatobiloba (Bosco)
National Director of Campus Intervention
National Association of University Students (NAUS), said: “The attention of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), through the Office of the National Director of Campus Intervention, has been drawn to the recent publication and provocative stance taken by the Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) concerning the internal affairs of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
As a responsible and national student body entrusted with defending the interests of university students across Nigeria, we find the tone and intent of SSANU’s statement not only worrisome but utterly unacceptable. We wish to state categorically that no union, regardless of its status or structure, will be permitted to disrupt academic activities or compromise the peace and order within FUOYE.
The threat to mobilize staff across 26 institutions for industrial action at FUOYE is a dangerous path that risks igniting unrest and derailing the educational progress of more than 50,000 students currently enrolled in the institution. NAUS, on behalf of over millions of students in our university network nationwide, is prepared to respond with full mobilization to counter any such move that aims to destabilize our campuses.
This is not an empty caution—it is a firm assurance that Nigerian university students will not sit idly by while their future is gambled away.
We recall, with deep sorrow, the tragic consequences of SSANU’s last disruptive action at FUOYE, which led to the untimely death of a student who couldn’t access urgent medical care due to the closure of the university’s health center. That memory is still fresh, and we say—Never Again!
NAUS stands for justice, dialogue, and fairness—but we also stand firm against chaos, disruption, and any form of institutional blackmail masked as union activism. The university environment must remain a sanctuary for learning, not a playground for unnecessary power tussles or political vendettas.
To this end, we are calling on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to swiftly intervene and ensure that peace and stability are maintained across our university campuses, especially at FUOYE. We appeal directly to:
The Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Senate and House Committees on Tertiary Education
The Honourable Minister of Education
The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC)
The Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports Development
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of university unions
All Security Agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and DSS
It is imperative that SSANU channels its grievances through established legal and institutional procedures rather than choosing the path of confrontation, which could result in unintended and irreversible consequences.
We reiterate our commitment to defending the dignity and rights of students. While we remain advocates of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between unions and management, we will not tolerate any action that endangers the safety or future of Nigerian students.
Let this be a standing record: NAUS stands resolutely against oppression and intimidation, but we demand that all parties act responsibly and with the best interest of the academic community at heart.
Our message is clear—Preserve our institutions, protect our students, and secure the future of our nation.
An injury to one student is an injury to all.
Signed:
