By Seun Aderounmu
The Dean of Student’s Affairs is the representative of the Vice Chancellor in charge of Students affairs in any University. At the University of Lagos,(Unilag),it is not totally different from what is obtainable as it is the sole responsibility of the Vice Chancellor to appoint any Professor he or she chooses to occupy the office in his interest.
The 11th Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahman Bello appointed Prof Ademola Adeleke as the Dean of Student’s affairs in 2016 for a single term of 2 years.
On the expiry of Prof. Adeleke’s two years tenure,Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the 12th Vice Chancellor, had already assumed office and later renewed for a second term for another term.
The second term expired during the crises between the former Pro-Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor in the wake of 2020.
After the intervention of the federal Government and on return of the Vice Chancellor, the DSA got another extension of six month.
By our records,the six month expired in April and uptil now,there hasn’t been any communication or replacement for the office.
The Vice Chancellor has the prerogative of appointing a dean of Students affairs unlike other Dean’s that are elected.
There are lot of questions begging for answers which is,are there no other competent Professors to take over the office of Students affairs?
There are many policies of the incumbents that has generated lot of issues but due to his flagrant disobedience for rule of law and miliatary style has made many Staff and students to keep mum.
Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is a man of the people whom God has remained with despite all he has passed through to make sure the University of Lagos gets to an enviable feat.
It is our hope that the University will consider the appointment of a new DSA,so that eminent and qualified professors can also contribute their quota to the development of the University.