LASU dismisses 2 lecturers over misconduct, fraud, and student mistreatment
Lagos State University (LASU) has terminated the employment of two members of its academic staff following allegations of serious professional misconduct, which included breaches of student welfare and financial mismanagement. The decision was taken at the university’s 143rd statutory governing council meeting held on 3rd July 2025.
The individuals dismissed are Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannada, who formerly served as 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 imposing extreme physical demands on 400-level agriculture students by compelling them to stay on the university farm from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., without providing food, water, or sufficient rest periods. According to the findings of the disciplinary committee, this practice reportedly continued even during periods of heavy rainfall.
Additional accusations against Abanikannada included sexual harassment of female students, making threats and using “derogatory language” against both staff and students and collecting money from members of the university community without authorisation.
Dr Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed for failing to adhere to the university’s regulations for the Farm Practical Year (FPY), a breach which reportedly resulted in students being subjected to inappropriate levels of manual labour. She was also found to have withheld ₦10.6 million in revenue from the sale of farm produce, which she allegedly kept in her bank account instead of paying it to the university, as was required.
In a statement issued by Emmanuel A. Fanu, Registrar and Secretary to the Council, the university stated that the conduct of both lecturers amounted to “serious misconduct” under LASU’s terms and conditions of service for senior staff (2017, as amended).
The disciplinary measures were based on investigations and subsequent recommendations from a joint council-senate committee that had been set up to review the cases.
Both dismissals became effective on 3rd July 2025.
