A university professor with the Lagos State University, has been demoted from his academic rank after certain unusual things were found out about him.
The Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University
Olatunji Abanikannda, a lecturer with the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, has been demoted from professor to a senior lecturer. His demotion was announced by the University.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he was demoted over alleged lack of requisite papers and journals.
Mr. Abanikannda, a former Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, was the immediate past Director, LASU External System (part-time programme).
In 2014, he contested for the post of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, but lost to Fidelis Njokanma.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, however, confirmed the demotion in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Mr. Fagbohun said the demotion of the lecturer was a decision taken by the governing council, adding that the university management had implemented it.
The university’s governing council decision followed a petition against the lecturer by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, LASU chapter.
The union had petitioned the governing council, headed by Adebayo Ninolowo, alleging that the former Vice-Chancellor, John Obafunwa, promoted the lecturer without due process.
A five-member panel was consequently set up to investigate the allegations levelled against the lecturer.
Some concerned members of staff of the university had also lodged complaints that Mr. Abanikannda was not qualified to be a professor, but was promoted by Mr. Obafunwa.
The panel, after several meetings and investigations, recommended the demotion of the lecturer.
It was gathered that the council also reprimanded the former vice-chancellor and the current registrar, Akinwunmi Lewis, for taking certain decisions contrary to the laid down rules and regulations of the university.