The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, has firmly distanced itself from a recent report published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which alleged a plot to malign the image of the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, SAN, and the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina. FUOYE authorities described the report as unfounded, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create disaffection within the university system.
In a strongly worded statement, the university emphasized that the FIJ publication lacked credibility and was not based on any official communication from the university. Instead, it said the report relied on a “spurious press statement issued by nameless individuals” without proper journalistic standards, thereby rendering it null and void.
The management stressed that at no time did the Senate of the institution indict the Pro-Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor over recruitment processes or any other governance-related matter. According to FUOYE, the entire report was crafted with the intent to sow division and tarnish the reputation of respected figures within the university leadership.
FUOYE’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, who signed the official statement, categorically denied any connection between the Senate and the alleged document cited by FIJ. He reiterated that the Senate did not authorize, discuss, or endorse any press statement indicting the institution’s leadership.
“The FIJ purportedly relied on a phony press statement that was unsigned, nameless, and not derived from Senate deliberations,” Ibrahim stated. “It is not in the tradition of FUOYE’s Senate to hold press conferences or issue public statements after meetings. Only the Registrar, in his statutory capacity, has the authority to communicate Senate’s decisions, and in this case, no such communication was made.”
The Registrar further explained that the alleged press statement was fraudulent and did not pass through any official university channels. He urged members of the university community, stakeholders, and the public to disregard FIJ’s report entirely, as it was neither authentic nor reflective of FUOYE’s operations.
In addition to clarifying the matter, FUOYE management has called on security agencies to launch an investigation into the source of the fabricated document used by FIJ. The institution demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice to safeguard the integrity of the university and protect its leadership from unfounded attacks.
Meanwhile, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, also issued a personal statement reinforcing the management’s position. He pledged unwavering loyalty to Senator Ndoma-Egba, the Governing Council, and Prof. Fasina, stressing that he had no hand in any alleged conspiracy to discredit or unseat the Pro-Chancellor.
“The report by FIJ is baseless and unfounded. It neither originated from the Senate nor represents any issue before the Senate,” Prof. Shittu stated. He emphasized that his office would not be part of any scheme to destabilize the leadership of the institution, adding that his focus remained on ensuring continuity and stability.
The university’s leadership described the publication as an unfortunate example of reckless journalism, cautioning media outlets against publishing unverified reports that could damage reputations and erode public trust in higher institutions. It urged stakeholders to always verify information through credible, official channels before disseminating it.
FUOYE management insisted that the university’s progress, stability, and reputation were of utmost importance and would not be undermined by unfounded claims. It reassured staff, students, and the public that the institution remained committed to academic excellence, transparency, and good governance under the guidance of its governing council.
As the controversy unfolds, FUOYE has appealed for calm within its community, reiterating that the so-called indictment report was fake and lacked any legal or institutional standing. The university concluded that only unity and focus on its developmental agenda could shield it from distractions aimed at tarnishing its achievements.
