A group, the United Action for Democracy (UAD), a coalition of pro-democracy and human rights activists, has called for the immediate suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, over serious allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.
According to a statement made available to The Bliss News, UAD referenced an earlier petition it submitted to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who serves as the Visitor to the institution. The petition, dated March 26, 2025, urged the Governor to take swift action by suspending the Vice-Chancellor to protect the university’s integrity and prevent an institutional crisis.
According to UAD, the petition titled ‘Urgent Request for the Suspension of the LASUSTECH Vice-Chancellor Over Corruption Allegations to Prevent Internal Crisis and Institutional Collapse’ accused Professor Odusanya of mismanaging over N2billion meant for the accreditation of the institution’s departments. The petition further alleged that the act was carried out in collusion with the university’s Head of Procurement and Auditor.
The petition warned; “The continued stay of the Vice-Chancellor in office threatens the stability of the institution, endangers its credibility, and may trigger an uncontrollable internal crisis among academic staff, non-academic staff, and students”.
The petition signed by Kazeem Oloyede, Acting Organising Secretary of UAD, the group disclosed that it had received multiple petitions from concerned groups within the university community, alleging large-scale financial impropriety. The UAD expressed the alarm over reports that contracts initially valued at 20 million naira were arbitrarily inflated to 50 million naira, resulting in losses exceeding 800 million naira to the institution.
Oloyede in the petition, further alleged:
– Flagrant abuse of procurement laws: The Vice-Chancellor was accused of bypassing due process and awarding contracts without the involvement of the Procurement Department, in violation of the Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021.
– Collusion in contract awards: The petition claimed that Professor Odusanya, in collaboration with the Procurement Officer and Auditor, manipulated contract processes to favour companies of personal interest.
– Use of university accounts for fraudulent transactions: Large sums were allegedly siphoned through Wema Bank account number 0124181689 belonging to the university.
The petition noted that this unchecked corruption had fueled growing resentment among university staff and students, pushing the institution to the brink of mass protests and possible breakdown.
UAD further revealed that several law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Lagos State Police Command had been notified of the case, with investigations already underway.
To prevent interference with ongoing investigations and avoid further financial damage, the group demanded:
– The immediate suspension of Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya as Vice-Chancellor.
– The appointment of an interim leadership to restore confidence in the university’s administration.
– A full forensic audit of the N2 billion accreditation fund.
– The prosecution of all individuals found culpable in the alleged financial mismanagement.
UAD emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to the total collapse of LASUSTECH, bringing national and international embarrassment to both the institution and the Lagos State government.
“Your Excellency, the reputation of LASUSTECH, Lagos State, and Nigeria’s education sector is at stake. The global academic community is watching, and any failure to act decisively will tarnish the image of your administration and the state. We urge you to act swiftly to prevent the imminent implosion of LASUSTECH and ensure that justice prevails,” the petition concluded.
