Get Guardian on GoogleLagos State University (LASU) has dismissed two academic staff members following allegations of professional misconduct, including violations of student welfare and financial irregularities. The decision was reached during the university’s 143rd statutory governing council meeting held on July 3, 2025.
Those dismissed are Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannada, former Dean of the School of Agriculture at LASU’s Epe Campus, and Dr. Khadeejah Olufunke Kareem-Ibraheem, a lecturer and former coordinator in the Department of Animal Sciences at the same campus.
Professor Abanikannada was accused of subjecting 400-level agriculture students to excessive physical strain by requiring them to remain on the university farm from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without provision for food, water, or adequate breaks. According to the disciplinary committee’s findings, this practice reportedly continued during periods of heavy rainfall.
Additional allegations against Abanikannada include sexual harassment of female students, use of threats and derogatory language against both staff and students, and the unauthorised collection of funds from members of the university community.
Dr. Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed for failing to follow the university’s guidelines for the Farm Practical Year (FPY), a lapse which reportedly led to students being exposed to inappropriate levels of manual labour. She was also found to have withheld N10.6 million in proceeds from the sale of farm produce, which she allegedly retained in her personal account instead of remitting it to the university, as required.
In a statement issued by Emmanuel A. Fanu, Registrar and Secretary to the Council, the university noted that the actions of both lecturers constituted “serious misconduct” under LASU’s conditions of service for senior staff (2017, as amended).
The disciplinary decisions followed investigations and recommendations made by a joint council-senate committee established to examine the cases.
Both dismissals took effect on July 3, 2025.
