There was tension at the University of Ibadan on Wednesday as the non-academic staff unions of the institution protested against the processes of appointing the new vice-chancellor of the university.
The chairman of the university council, Dr Joshua Waklek, around 2pm on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the process of selection of the new VC following protests by workers.
Waklek said he would meet the protesting workers on Friday to “critically look into their demands.”
The sitting VC was sighted at the police headquarters at Eleyele.
He declined comments as went into a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nwanchukwu Enwonwu.
No fewer than 18 candidates had expressed interest for the position VC position, but six of the professors were shortlisted.
The name of a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. Femi Mimiko, is among the six names on the final list released by the Governing Council Board.
Mimiko, who is of the Department of Political Science and Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, between 2010 and 2015, is the only external candidate among the six finalists.
Others are the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Kayode Adebowale, a former DVC, Abideen Aderinto, Olusegun Ademowo, Olatunde Farombi and Babatunde Salako, all professors at UI.
It was gathered that the list would be pruned down to three by a five-man panel, which included Nde Joshua Waklek, chairman of council, Sir Ben Okoronkwo, Dr. Uchenna Uba, a representative of the Ministry of Education, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola and Prof. Peter Olapegba.
The tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, will expire in November.
The workers have alleged that Prof Olayinka has been making efforts to ensure that his anointed candidate, Prof. Adebowale who is among the six candidates finally shortlisted, emerges as his successor.
Security agents at the main entrance of the institution shut the gate as the protesters took to the street.
Mr Olatunji Oladejo, Director of Communication of UI, confirmed the incident. “They have rights to protest. It is an appointment process. They have to shortlist. It is a process. They have shortlisted six out of 18 and they will meet the selection Board,” he said.
