Just In: Despite Warning, NYCN Leads Protest In FUOYE

Tension rose on Monday at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) as students, youth leaders, and staff members staged a peaceful protest against the university’s management, accusing it of corruption, abuse of office, and moral decay.

The protest, led by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State Chapter, and joined by the Association of Southern Nigeria Youth Congress (ASNYC), disrupted activities on campus. The protesters demanded the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, and the removal of the Governing Council Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN).

With placards reading “Enough of corruption in FUOYE” and “Tinubu, suspend FUOYE VC now,” the demonstrators accused the university leadership of financial mismanagement and moral misconduct.

NYCN Chairman, James Bankole, said FUOYE was facing “a monumental crisis,” describing its management as “a calculated conspiracy of corruption, financial recklessness, and moral decay.”

This protest came despite a prior warning from the FUOYE Students’ Union Government, which had cautioned against any external protest or gathering on campus.

Bankole further alleged that the Council Chairman had moved all meetings and the ongoing Vice-Chancellorship selection to Abuja in defiance of ministerial directives, calling it “financial sabotage against the Nigerian state.” He also decried alleged cases of sexual exploitation within the university, demanding a full investigation.

The NYCN and ASNYC vowed to remain on campus until their demands are met, including the suspension of the VC, removal of the Council Chairman, a forensic audit of the university’s finances, and an independent probe into sexual harassment allegations.

As of press time, the university management and the Governing Council had not responded to the allegations. Attempts to reach the VC’s media aide, Dr. Wole Balogun, were unsuccessful.

—Punch