By Silver Nwokoro 
The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, has firmly stated that Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina remains the institution’s substantive Vice-Chancellor, despite commencing a six-month accumulated yearly and research leave on April 14, 2025.
 
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), FolusoOgunmodede, the institution clarified that the Vice-Chancellor’s leave, ratified by the university governing council at its seventh emergency meeting, is part of his legitimate entitlements and does not signify a resignation or stepping down from office.
 
According to the PRO, Fasina had applied for 288 days of accumulated leave, of which the Council approved 126 days.  The PRO noted that during his absence, the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olubunmi Samuel Shittu, would serve in an acting capacity, strictly to oversee administrative duties and not as a substantive replacement.
   
“Prof. Fasina remains the substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE until he hands over to the next vice-chancellor when his tenure ends in February 2026,” Ogunmodede stated.
 
The university further condemned what it described as grievous lies, malicious misrepresentation, and blackmail by some media outlets, particularly targeting Sahara reporters, accusing them of distorting facts and misleading the public.
 
“It is disheartening the level to which journalism has degenerated in Nigeria, where supposed reputable media houses deliberately manipulate facts and spread falsehoods,” the statement said.
 
The university warned that it would consider legal action against media organisations that continue to propagate what it described as deliberate misinformation.
 
FUOYE management urged the public to disregard the circulating reports and reiterated its commitment to transparency and academic excellence under the leadership of Fasina.