The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has strongly condemned unethical practices by university lecturers, including forcing students to buy handouts, extorting them for grades, and engaging in sexual assaults.
Ndoma-Egba revealed at the weekend that during his tenure as Pro-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, he dismissed six professors for sexual misconduct and corruption. He emphasized that he would not hesitate to take similar action at FUOYE to uphold academic integrity.
“I have zero tolerance for academic fraud and misconduct,” he stated. “When I arrived at Federal University Lokoja, I reviewed pending cases of sexual harassment and extortion. The investigations had been delayed due to internal protection among staff, but as a lawyer, I scrutinized the evidence. The facts did not align with the conclusions, so I demanded a proper review. In the end, six professors were dismissed,” he added.
Ndoma-Egba expressed concern over the declining standards in Nigeria’s education system, particularly the rise of so-called “miracle centers” where students obtain high grades they cannot defend. He lamented that academic corruption was becoming widespread and damaging the credibility of Nigerian university degrees.
At FUOYE, he credited the institution’s rising reputation to its strict academic policies, adherence to schedules, and quality education. He highlighted that despite challenges such as COVID-19 and the nine-month ASUU strike, FUOYE had maintained an uninterrupted academic calendar, making it one of the most sought-after universities by students.
On allegations of sexual harassment against FUOYE’s Vice-Chancellor, Ndoma-Egba assured that due process was being followed.
“The University Governing Council established a committee to investigate the claims. I was informed during our last convocation that the report was ready, but due to the week-long ceremonies, we postponed its review. We granted the committee an extension, and I expect an emergency meeting soon to finalize the matter.
“I am eager to resolve this issue because FUOYE should be recognized for its academic excellence, not controversies. Sexual harassment and extortion have no place in our universities, and any staff caught engaging in such acts will face immediate consequences.”
With his firm stance on academic integrity, Ndoma-Egba reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the credibility of Nigerian university degrees and ensuring students receive a quality education free from exploitation.
