By Ajao Stephen
Fresh controversy has emerged over the election of the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus, of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), following allegations by some stakeholders that the declared winner Professor does not meet the requirements for the position.
The concerned stakeholders have questioned the eligibility of the professor, alleging that he falls short of certain conditions stipulated in the university’s regulations governing the office of Provost.
According to the petitioners, the academic’s state of origin has become a subject of controversy. They claimed that records submitted during his appointment into the university identified him as an indigene of Ede in Osun State and that his application was supported by a recommendation from a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly,
They further alleged that the professor is now presenting himself as an indigene of Oyo State, a development they described as contradictory. The stakeholders also claimed that there are reports suggesting that some university officials may have assisted him after the election in perfecting documents intended to establish his status as a bona fide indigene of Oyo State, contrary to his earlier claim of being from Ede, Osun State. However, these allegations remain unverified.
The stakeholders also argued that the elected Provost lacks the administrative experience required for the office. They maintained that the university’s regulations prescribe previous leadership roles, including service as a Head of Department, Dean, or Chairman of major committees, as prerequisites for appointment to the position.
According to them, the professor has not previously occupied any of these offices and may therefore face challenges in administering the college, which currently comprises two faculties and nine academic departments.
The petitioners further alleged that the nomination process was influenced by individuals pursuing what they described as an “Osun agenda.” They claimed that some senior academics who supported the candidate are opposed to the present administration and the ongoing development of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Iseyin.
They also recalled that the professor was allegedly disqualified from a previous University Council election on the grounds that he was considered an indigene of Osun State, an issue they said should be clarified in the interest of transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity.
The stakeholders consequently called on the university authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and ensure that due process, equity, and the institution’s established regulations are upheld in the appointment of principal officers.
Efforts to obtain reactions from elected Provost in question and the university management were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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