Babcock Refutes Claims of Misconduct, Reaffirms Transparency in VC Selection

Funmi Ogundare

The management of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has refuted allegations published by The People’s Gazette on September 12, 2025, describing the report as baseless, fabricated, mischievous and malicious.

The publication had claimed that one of the candidates aspiring to the office of President/Vice-Chancellor was being resisted by an alleged church advocacy group on account of purported sexual misconduct.

The Director of Marketing and Communication of the university, Dr. Joshua Suleiman in a statement, dismissed the report, insisting that neither the institution nor its proprietors, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, were aware of any group called ‘The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group’ or its supposed coordinator, Elder Samson Fasasi, labeling them fictitious and irresponsible.

He also defended Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, a former university pastor and Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life, stating that he has never been accused, investigated, or sanctioned for sexual infidelity or misconduct.

He clarified that his leave of absence in 2018 was for family reasons and processed in line with university policy.

The director further emphasised the ongoing process to appoint a new President/Vice-Chancellor is guided by the highest ethical, spiritual, and procedural standards of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which owns and operates 118 tertiary institutions worldwide.

“The exercise is not political, nor subject to lobbying, but based strictly on merit, moral integrity, spiritual soundness, intellectual capacity and service,” Suleiman said.

He also dismissed claims that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo manipulated the university’s bye-laws to influence succession, stressing that any amendment to the bye-laws undergoes multiple rigorous layers of approval by the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BoT).

The director described the publication as a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of the university, warning those behind the allegations to desist from spreading falsehood.

“We also call on all persons including the candidates vying for the office of the President/Vice-Chancellor and their supporters to refrain from descending into such condescending and condemnable tactics or antics in matters relating to Babcock University.

“The sacred process of leadership transition in Babcock University must never be tainted by falsehood, propaganda, or blackmail.

“Babcock University reserves the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the University and or any of its personnel.

Reassuring stakeholders, Suleiman stated, “the leadership transition process remains transparent, fair, and beyond reproach. Babcock University reiterates its commitment to building servant leaders for Nigeria, Africa, and the world.”