Wale Oyewale, Ibadan
There was tension at the University of Ibadan on Wednesday as the non-academic staff unions of the institution protested against the processes of appointing the new vice-chancellor of the university.
No fewer than 18 candidates had expressed interest for the position VC position, but six of the professors were shortlisted.
The professors are Kayode Adebowale, Olusegun Ademowo, Olatunde Farombi, Abideen Aderinto, Babatunde Salako and Femi Mimiko.
The tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, will expire in November.
Some workers of the university, however, on Wednesday protested against alleged imposition of Prof. Adebowale by the incumbent VC.
Security agents at the main entrance of the institution shut the gate as the protesters took to the street.
As of the time of filing this report, the main gate of the institution was still shut.
The Director of Communication of UI, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, confirmed the incident.
He said, “They have rights to protest. It is an appointment process. They have to shortlist. It is a process. They have shortlisted six out of 18 and they will meet the selection Board.”
The chairman of the university council, Dr Joshua Waklek, around 2pm on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the process of selection of new VC.
Waklek said he would meet the protesting workers on Friday to “critically look into their demands.”
The sitting VC was sighted at the police headquarters at Eleyele.
He declined comments as went into a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nwanchukwu Enwonwu.
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