LASU suspends Abanikanda, students seek justice over abuse

LASU suspends Abanikanda, students seek justice over abuse

Lagos State University (LASU) has quietly suspended Professor Olatunji Abanikanda, the Dean of the School of Agriculture at its Epe Campus, for subjecting final-year students of the agricultural school to inhumane and degrading treatment.

According to a statement from the LASU Students’ Union on Thursday, the school’s management stated that the decision to suspend the professor was intended to facilitate a thorough investigation into the allegations levelled against him by students.

“We are pleased to announce that, in light of recent developments, the Dean, Professor Abanikanda, has been placed on compulsory leave, effective immediately. This decision is intended to facilitate a thorough investigation, led by a specially constituted fact-finding committee, without any conflicts of interest,” the statement reads in part.

“In the interim, we are pleased to inform you that an associate professor from the Faculty of Sciences has been appointed as the acting dean. He is set to assume his duties immediately, starting Monday, May 26, 2025.”

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Confirming the development, an alumnus of the School of Agriculture told FIJ that some students were invited to the main campus at Ojo to meet with the Vice Chancellor on Wednesday, but she wasn’t around. On Thursday, said the alumnus, the management told the students that Abanikanda would be suspended.

“The video that caused everything was sent to the main campus at Ojo. So, some students were invited to meet with the VC. They were there yesterday, but she wasn’t around. Today, they concluded he would be suspended,” he told FIJ.

At press time, LASU had not officially released a statement on the matter.

On Wednesday, FIJ reported that Abanikanda was threatening to deal with the students after audio proof of the inhumane treatment he subjected them to went viral on social media.

The threat came 24 hours after blogs and viral posts on X showed the world how Abanikanda made students stand in the rain on May 17.

In one of the recorded messages, Abanikanda, who didn’t know students were recording him, described himself as a Sango worshipper and threatened to punish anyone who offended him through spiritual means.

“I have told you, there’s none among you who doesn’t know me. I am an Onisango. I’ll treat your [expletive] up spiritually. What gave you the audacity to go and sit down when I asked you to stand?” Abanikanda asked a student.

 

LASU suspends Abanikanda, students seek justice over abuse