The process leading to the appointment of new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan was stalled on Wednesday as the non-academic staff unions of the institution protested against the alleged plan to impose a candidate on them.
No fewer than 18 candidates, all professors, were contesting the position of the Vice-Chancellor in the institution.
Of the 18 professors eyeing the exalted position, six candidates were shortlisted. They are Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Prof. Olusegun Ademowo, Prof. Olatunde Farombi, Prof. Abideen Aderinto, Prof. Babatunde Salako and Prof. Femi Mimiko.
Prof. Idowu Olayinka’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor, is billed to expire in November as the new VC is expected to resume duty on December 1.
Just as the process leading to the VC’s appointment was rounding off, some staff of the university, on Wednesday protested against the alleged imposition of Prof. Kayode Adebowale as VC by the incumbent VC.
During the protest, the main gate of the university was shut.
The Director of Communication of UI, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, said the authorities stating that the protesters had the right to protest.
He said, “Well, 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 the six will meet the selection Board.”
The chairman of the university council, Dr Joshua Waklek, at about 2pm on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the process of selection of new VC.
Waklek said he would meet the protesting staff on Friday to “critically look into their demands.”
He, however, said the decision to eliminate one of the candidates as requested by the non-teaching staff would be made by the council.
The current VC was sighted at the police headquarters at Eleyele. He declined comments as journalists attempted to take him on issues affecting the university.
He later went into a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nwanchukwu Enwonwu.
