MURIC OYO STATE RAISES CONCERNS OVER FUNATO APPOINTMENTS, CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSIVITY
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, has raised serious concerns over recent developments at the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO), particularly regarding the pattern of appointments and administrative processes under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi.
In a statement signed by the State Secretary of the group, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, on Saturday, 16th May, 2026, and made available to newsmen, MURIC acknowledged and commended the Federal Government for establishing FUNATO, describing it as a long-awaited educational advancement for the people of Oke-Ogun and Oyo State at large. However, the group expressed concern that recent administrative actions within the institution have raised serious questions regarding equity, transparency and inclusiveness.
The statement noted with concern the appointment of several individuals into key academic positions, including Professor Emmanuel Adegbenga Adekoya, Professor Egbeyale, Professor Godwin Olutona, Professor Ojoawo and Professor Awodoyin as Deans across various faculties. While acknowledging their academic competence, MURIC emphasized that the process leading to their appointments, as well as the perceived imbalance in representation, has generated widespread concern among stakeholders.
MURIC further expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the resource verification exercise reportedly carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC). According to the group, the exercise lacked transparency and inclusiveness, as it was allegedly compressed into a single day without adequate communication, thereby excluding many qualified participants.
The statement added that subsequent appointments appear to have been drawn largely from a limited pool of participants from the exercise, raising legitimate concerns about fairness and equal opportunity. It also noted reports of disproportionate representation along religious lines in the appointment of Deans and Heads of Departments.
MURIC stressed that FUNATO, as a federal institution, must reflect Nigeria’s diversity in line with the federal character principle. It warned that no group—religious, ethnic or otherwise—should be marginalized or excluded at the formative stage of such a critical national institution.
The group clarified that its intervention is not driven by bias or favoritism but rooted in the need to uphold due process, fairness and the principles of justice, equity and inclusiveness essential for national unity and institutional credibility.
Consequently, MURIC called on the Governing Council of FUNATO, the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders in Oke-Ogun, to urgently investigate and review all appointments and processes carried out so far in the university.
The organization also reiterated that it will continue to closely monitor activities within FUNATO to ensure that the institution remains faithful to its federal mandate and does not become a platform for sectional or religious dominance.
MURIC concluded by stressing that the integrity and future of FUNATO must not be compromised at its formative stage, urging that equity, transparency and inclusiveness must guide all actions to position the university as a symbol of unity, excellence and national development.
A word is enough for the wise.
MURIC OYO STATE RAISES CONCERNS OVER FUNATO APPOINTMENTS, CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSIVITY
