Rumpus on UNILAG Campus over Convocation Ceremony

Protesting lecturers and students in front of University of Lagos

Things are not so rosy in the University of Lagos, one of the first generation universities in Nigeria as the institution’s Academic Staff Union University (ASUU) chapter  declared  the  Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council , Dr Wale Babalakin  ‘persona non grata’ on the University campus over his alleged role in the postponement of the 51st convocation ceremony of the institution.
Babalakin, in  his capacity as the varsity’s Chairman of Council,  was alleged to be instrumental to the postponement of the University’s 51st  convocation ceremony. He was specifically accused of being selfish by travelling  to the UK for a birthday ceremony, at a time the university was meant to hold its convocation ceremony.
 Rising from its meeting  last Wednesday, the lecturers, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), filed out in their hundreds to stage a peaceful protest to the council chamber and around the campus.
Dele Ashiru, the Union’s Chairman, said the union had already passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Babalakin.
However, Babalakin has denied that he travelled to UK for any ceremony. He said he is currently on medical trip to Germany.  He pointed out that he did not book his trip until it was clear that the convocation has been postponed.
“And you said they claimed I travelled to the UK for a birthday? This is ridiculous. I’m in Germany for medical reason and I did not book the trip until the NUC ordered the suspension,” he was quoted as saying in a telephone interview with a source.
“These people get a lot of things wrong. Why are they directing their protest at me? I did not postpone the convocation. The NUC did’’, he said.
Babalakin said it is not within the power of the lecturers to declare him persona non grata since he  was not appointed by the ASUU and cannot be removed by the union.
The council chairman said he had not done anything outside the laws governing the university, and that  ASUU or anyone opposed to the postponement should carefully  go through the law establishing the institution and the roles of the governing council.
it would be recalled that  the National Universities’ Commission (NUC), which regulates Nigerian universities, had earlier written  to the university management to stop the convocation ceremony which was billed to hold between March 9 and 13.
 Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede, the institution’s Public Relations Officer who confirmed the development to newsmen,  said details would be provided later.

Wale Babalakin, Chairman of Council, UNILAG

Segun Fatuase

seguntuase@gmail.com 08023092925