Acting UNILAG Vice Chancellor Soyombo Steps Down

By Emmanuel Awosika

The acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Omololu Soyombo, has stepped down from office.

His abdication comes after the Federal Government ordered the University of Lagos Senate to appoint a new acting Vice Chancellor for the university.

Soyombo had been appointed last week after the Governing Council presided over by the Pro Chancellor, Dr. Wale Babalakin, removed Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe from the position of Vice Chancellor.

In a statement on Saturday, Soyombo said his abdication was necessary, since the Federal Government had directed the Senate to select a new acting Vice Chancellor for the university.

“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. With this, I am stepping down, with immediate effect, as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University,” he said.

Soyombo implored both staff and students of the university to continue with their normal activities peacefully.

“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.

“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,” he concluded in his statement.