UNILAG crisis: Acting VC steps down, says he wanted to restore peace

Omololu Soyombo, a professor of sociology, has stepped down as acting vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Soyombo was appointed acting VC of the institution after the governing council headed by Wale Babalakin, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), removed Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on August 12.

But on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari directed Ogundipe and Babalakin to step aside and allow the senate of the university to nominate an acting vice-chancellor.

Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Soyombo said he had stepped down “with immediate effect” in obedience to the directive of the president.

He said he accepted to serve because he wanted to restore peace in UNILAG.

“The news of the setting up of a special visitation panel to the University of Lagos by the federal government was received in the evening of Friday, 21st August 2020. The government also directed the university senate to nominate an acting vice-chancellor for the university, for confirmation by the governing council,” he said.

“With this, I am stepping down, with immediate effect, as acting vice-chancellor of the university.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of staff and our dear students, the staff unions, alumni and the general public for their wonderful support and cooperation in the past ten days since my appointment as acting vice-chancellor of the university on 12th August 2020.

“As I noted in my address to a cross-section of staff on 19th August 2020, I accepted the offer to serve as a call to service, with the objective of restoring peace and stability in the university.Set featured image

“It is my prayer that the peace and stability that we so much need and desire at this time be restored very quickly so that the University of Lagos can continue to march on as the university of first choice and the nation’s pride.”