In a stunning turn of events, the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo has taken the decisive step of removing Prof. Tajudeen Olumoko from his position as the Dean of Student Affairs. This action comes in the wake of a distressing news report published by an online platform on Monday.
The report exposed the existence of a certificate racketeering syndicate that had managed to obtain authentic LASU certificates. Shockingly, these certificates were available for purchase, with interested individuals being charged between N2 million and N3 million, depending on the complexity of the course.
To address this grave situation, Dr. Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, has been appointed as the acting Dean of Student Affairs. A source within the university, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the removal of Prof. Olumoko and the subsequent appointment of Dr. Fatai-Abatan, revealing that the change in leadership occurred on Tuesday.
In response to the news, The PUNCH reached out to Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, the Coordinator of the Centre for Information and Public Relations at LASU. When asked about the removal of Prof. Olumoko, Thomas-Onashile stated, "I can't confirm whether he has been removed or not. I am currently not in the office, so I am not aware of any developments yet."
Furthermore, The PUNCH reports that the Lagos State House of Assembly has expressed its intention to summon Mr. Tolani Akibu, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, and other senior staff members, including the Senate of the university. This decision stems from the recent allegations of extortion and certificate racketeering that have tarnished the reputation of the institution.
With LASU taking swift action to remove the Dean of Student Affairs amidst these serious allegations, it remains to be seen how the university will navigate this scandal and restore public trust in its academic integrity.
