MURIC to FG, NUC: Ensure Federal Character principle in FUNATO appointments

Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed serious concerns over recent appointments and administrative processes at the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO), calling on relevant authorities to ensure transparency, inclusiveness and adherence to the federal character principle.

In a statement signed by the State Secretary of the group, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, and made available to journalists on Saturday, MURIC acknowledged and commended the Federal Government for establishing FUNATO, describing the institution as a major educational milestone for the Oke-Ogun region and Oyo State as a whole.

The group, however, said recent developments within the university have raised questions regarding fairness, equity and inclusiveness under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi.

MURIC specifically pointed to the appointment of several academics into key positions within the institution, including Professor Emmanuel Adegbenga Adekoya, Professor Egbeyale, Professor Godwin Olutona, Professor Ojoawo and Professor Awodoyin as Deans across different faculties.

While acknowledging the academic qualifications and competence of the appointees, the organization maintained that the process leading to the appointments, as well as the perceived imbalance in representation, has generated concern among stakeholders.

According to the statement, the concerns were further heightened by the conduct of the resource verification exercise reportedly carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which MURIC alleged lacked transparency and inclusiveness.

The group claimed that the exercise was compressed into a single day without adequate communication, thereby excluding many qualified participants who could not take part in the process.

MURIC further alleged that subsequent appointments appeared to have been drawn largely from a limited pool of participants involved in the verification exercise, raising concerns about equal opportunity and fairness in the institution’s formative stage.

The organization also expressed worry over what it described as disproportionate representation along religious lines in the appointment of Deans and Heads of Departments.

It stressed that FUNATO, being a federal institution, must reflect Nigeria’s diversity and comply with the federal character principle to promote national unity and fairness.

“MURIC’s intervention is not driven by bias or favoritism but by the need to uphold due process, justice, equity and inclusiveness, which are critical to the credibility and stability of any national institution,” the statement noted.

The group warned against any form of marginalization or exclusion of religious or ethnic groups, especially during the foundational stage of the university, adding that such actions could undermine public confidence in the institution.

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 administrative processes carried out so far in the university.

The organization reiterated its commitment to monitoring developments within the institution to ensure that FUNATO remains faithful to its mandate as a federal university and does not become a platform for sectional or religious dominance.

MURIC concluded by urging all stakeholders to ensure that transparency, fairness and inclusiveness guide every action and decision within the institution, stressing that the integrity and future of FUNATO must not be compromised at its formative stage.

“A word is enough for the wise,” the statement added.