Babcock speaks on sexual misconduct allegations against VC candidate

The management of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, has refuted reports alleging sexual misconduct against a former university pastor and Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life, Dr. Afolarin Ojewole.

Ojewole is reportedly among the candidates vying to become Babcock’s next Vice-Chancellor.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 15, 2025, by the Director of Marketing and Communication, Joshua Suleiman, the university described the report as “fabricated, baseless, cheap blackmail and a figment of the writer’s imagination.”

An online platform had alleged that the university was favouring Ojewole despite purported past sanctions for sexual infidelity involving a student.

However, Babcock said no such allegation had ever been received or investigated, adding that there had never been a disciplinary committee on the matter.

The institution stated that Ojewole left the university in 2018, along with his wife, to support their children in the United States, and not due to any scandal.

Suleiman stressed that the process for appointing a new Vice Chancellor is “sacred, spiritual, and guided by merit, excellence, prayerful consideration, and the Church’s long-established policies.”

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He added that the search committee operates under strict ethical and procedural standards, and that the process is neither political nor subject to lobbying or manipulation.

“It is sheer mischief for anyone to insinuate that a single individual can tamper with the university’s policies or manipulate the process to favour any candidate,” the university spokesman stated.

Suleiman also dismissed claims that outgoing Babcock Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ademola Tayo was attempting to impose a successor, describing the report as a calculated attempt to malign the church, discredit the selection process, and cause division among stakeholders.

Suleiman also warned those behind the allegations to desist, adding that Babcock reserves the right to seek legal redress if such defamatory reports continue.

Professor Tayo, who has served two five-year terms, will complete his tenure in November, with the new Vice Chancellor expected to be announced on December 1, 2025.

The Star