Two lecturers with the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannada and Dr Khadeejah Olufunke Kareem-Ibraheem have been sacked.
Until their dismissal, Prof Abanikannada was the Dean, School of Agriculture, Epe Campus, while his found-guilty-as-charged colleague, Dr Kareem-Ibraheem, was Lecturer I/Coordinator, Department of Animal Sciences, in the same School of Agriculture, Epe Campus.
A statement signed by LASU Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Fanu, and made available to newsmen said LASU governing board approved the dismissal of both senior lecturers for misconduct bordering on sexual harassment and financial impropriety.
The report said that Abanikannada was pronounced guilty of allegations of maltreating 400 level students of the School of Agriculture by keeping them on the farm from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m without break, food, and water even during torrential rainfall that lasted between 4:45 p.m. to after 6:00 p.m., an action prejudicial to the security of the university.
He was also punished in respect of claim that he sexually harassed female students of the same school, and subjecting staff members and students to emotional and physical trauma using threats, curses, derogatory utterances, and profane expletives on them, an act unbecoming of a public officer of the university.
The dismissed professor was also ‘convicted’ of unauthorised collection of money from staff and students of the School of Agriculture, contrary to university regulations.
Fanu explained that the governing board’s action proceeded from the report of the Joint Council-Senate Disciplinary Committee which convicted both of the allegations against them earlier.
For Dr kareem-Ibraheem, the Registrar said she was dismissed for dereliction of duty as Coordinator, Department of Animal Sciences, by failing to adhere to the university’s approved guidelines, procedures and curriculum for Farm Practical Year (FPY), thereby exposing the students to hard labour on the farm.
Fanu also revealed that she failed to remit to the university coffers, proceeds from sale of farm produce (amounting to over ₦10.6 million), which was kept in her personal bank account, as against the university guidelines.
The Registrar added these acts by the two senior lecturers were tantamount to “serious misconduct”, are in contravention of the University’s Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (2017, as amended).
Fanu disclosed that both dismissal take effect from Thursday, 3rd July 2025.
