A leaked recording purportedly captures the former vice-chancellor accusing Professor Joshua Ogunwole of targeting his allies amid an internal university dispute
Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, has vowed to pursue legal and media action against his successor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, in a leaked audio recording purportedly capturing an escalating dispute over the treatment of university officials.
Also read: FUOYE suspends two students over alleged cyberbullying of ex-SUG president
In the recording obtained by SaharaReporters and published on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Fasina accused the current administration of targeting people regarded as his allies and said he was prepared to challenge Ogunwole despite the latter’s position as vice-chancellor.
“So, we also have to strategise. Legally, legally I will tie his hands. I will take it to the press,” Fasina was heard saying during the conversation with an individual identified as Engr. Shobowale, described in the report as another FUOYE figure and Fasina ally.
Fasina also expressed frustration over what he described as Ogunwole’s failure to send him a congratulatory letter following his appointment, questioning why the university’s Governing Council had not compelled the new vice-chancellor to do so.
“Let me tell you, there are many of them there who cannot even tell Ogunwole to write a letter of congratulation to me at that council,” he said, adding that the council had become “very weak”.
The former vice-chancellor’s comments came against the backdrop of disciplinary proceedings involving several university officials.
According to an internal FUOYE memorandum dated June 16, 2026, the university began disciplinary proceedings after a petition alleged that students had been subjected to an unauthorised ₦1,000 charge connected with practical sessions under the Directorate of Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The university said a Preliminary Fact-Finding Committee was constituted and that the individuals named in the petition were invited to respond to the allegations.
Those identified included Olanrewaju Patrick Ogunjobi, Director of the Directorate of Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Dr Banji Rildwan Olaleye,
Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Support Services; and James Iyanuoluwa Adio, President of the Students’ Union Government.
The university alleged that Ogunjobi authorised and collected ₦1,000 from affected 100-level students without approval from Senate or management and outside the approved payment process through the Bursary.
Management also alleged that Olaleye assisted with the collection, while Adio was accused of participating in the distribution of ₦1 million received from the director and subsequently threatening to disrupt practical sessions.
FUOYE said the disciplinary process was consistent with its Conditions of Service and Students’ Handbook and approved the suspension of the three officials pending its conclusion.
“The University will not tolerate the extortion of students, abuse of office, financial impropriety, or corruption in any form,” the Registrar, Mufutau A. Ibrahim, said in the June memorandum.
It is against this backdrop that Fasina’s comments about Ogunwole’s treatment of university officials have become significant.
In the leaked conversation, Fasina specifically discussed an official identified as Banji, saying the suspension would reach three months on September 9 and questioning what action management would take afterwards.
He also claimed that some people had seen a decision directing that Banji be returned to his position and issued a letter of advice.
Shobowale disputed that account, saying the proposed warning letter related to another official, Ogunjobi.
Fasina went further, accusing Ogunwole of damaging the careers of some university officials.
“He has already destroyed the lives of those boys,” he was heard saying, before adding that Ogunwole had “no mentor” and that people were watching his administration.
The allegations in the recording have not been independently established, and the published report did not indicate that Ogunwole had responded directly to Fasina’s claims.
The university’s documented position presents a different account, maintaining that the suspended officials were subjected to preliminary investigation following allegations concerning unauthorised financial collections.
The leadership change at FUOYE is relatively recent. Fasina completed his five-year tenure on February 10, 2026, after serving as vice-chancellor since February 11, 2021.
Professor Ogunwole, who previously served as the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages, formally assumed office as the fifth substantive vice-chancellor on February 11.
FUOYE described Fasina’s tenure as a period of academic expansion, infrastructural development, stronger research capacity and institutional growth.
At his valedictory service, the university said his administration had expanded the institution from eight to 18 faculties and established new directorates and units, among other achievements.
Ogunwole, meanwhile, has set out an ambitious reform agenda since taking office, including a 25-year strategic plan covering 2026 to 2050, greater accountability, digitalisation, stronger research output and efforts to reposition FUOYE as a globally competitive research university.
At his inauguration, Ogunwole also pledged that his administration would not tolerate conduct he considered unbecoming of a scholarly community, while promising to build on the foundation established by Fasina.
“I count it as a great honour and privilege given by God, the country and the Governing Council of this University to stand before this esteemed assembly,” Ogunwole said at his inauguration, describing Fasina as a “visionary leader” whose achievements had contributed to FUOYE’s development.
The contrast between that public transition and the increasingly pointed language in the leaked recording underscores the tensions that can accompany changes in leadership at major institutions.
Fasina is now serving as a non-career ambassador, according to the report, while Ogunwole is overseeing a new administration that has promised significant institutional reforms.
The Fasina legal fight suggested in the recording therefore comes at a delicate moment for the university, with disciplinary proceedings involving some officials unfolding alongside a broader transition in leadership.
SaharaReporters said attempts to obtain a response from Fasina about the recording were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to a message sent to him.
Until the allegations in the recording are independently established or addressed by the parties concerned, the claims remain allegations.
Also read: FUOYE suspends officials over alleged extortion
The university’s disciplinary process and any legal action threatened by Fasina could provide further clarity on the dispute and its implications for FUOYE’s administration.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
