BREAKING: LASU Dismisses Professor Abanikannda and Dr Kareem-Ibraheem Over Misconduct

The Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council has approved the dismissal of two senior academic staff members over allegations of serious misconduct involving inhumane treatment of students, sexual harassment, and financial impropriety.

This decision was made at the Council’s 143rd Statutory Meeting held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, after the review and adoption of the report submitted by the Joint Council-Senate Disciplinary Committee.

Those affected are Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannada, Dean of the School of Agriculture, Epe Campus, and Dr Khadeejah Olufunke Kareem-Ibraheem, Lecturer I and Coordinator in the Department of Animal Sciences, also at the Epe Campus.

According to the report, Prof. Abanikannada was found guilty of several offences, including:

• Forcing 400-level students to work on the university farm from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without breaks, food, or water — even during heavy rainfall — thereby endangering their health and safety.

• Alleged sexual harassment of female students.

• Verbally abusing and emotionally traumatizing staff and students using threats, curses, and profanities.

• Illegally collecting money from both staff and students, contrary to university policies.

In a related case, Dr Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed for:

• Gross negligence as departmental coordinator by failing to follow approved academic guidelines for the Farm Practical Year (FPY), exposing students to hard labour.

• Failing to remit proceeds from the sale of farm produce — totaling over ₦10.6 million — to the university account, instead depositing the funds into her personal account.

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The university described their actions as “serious misconduct” in breach of the LASU Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (2017, as amended).

The dismissals of both staff members are effective from July 3, 2025.

In a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr Emmanuel A. Fanu, the university reaffirmed its commitment to upholding academic and administrative integrity.