Babcock University management has strongly reacted to an online publication that accused one of its Vice-Chancellor aspirants, Afolarin Ojewole, of past sexual misconduct. The institution described the report as “fabricated, baseless, and malicious,” stressing that it was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the university, its governing processes, and the reputation of the candidate involved. The management stated that the story is not only false but also a distraction aimed at undermining the transparent selection of a new Vice-Chancellor.
According to the university, the allegation is part of a coordinated attempt to discredit the ongoing leadership transition process, which has been carefully designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and credibility. The institution noted that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, is set to complete his second tenure in November 2025, and preparations are ongoing for the formal announcement of his successor on December 1, 2025. Babcock emphasized that the process has been rigorous, transparent, and guided by long-standing spiritual and ethical values that define the institution’s leadership philosophy.
In its official response, Babcock University categorically denied that any complaint or petition had been filed against Ojewole by any individual or group. The management explained that there has never been a disciplinary committee, panel, or internal report that investigated the aspirant for sexual misconduct or any form of professional wrongdoing. It went further to describe the allegations as “cheap blackmail” and “reckless imagination” manufactured to manipulate public opinion and mislead stakeholders of the university community.
University rejects allegations, warns against misinformation
The institution described the false report as an orchestrated smear campaign aimed at sowing distrust and creating division among the stakeholders of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Babcock University. It noted that the claims suggesting that Ojewole had been sanctioned in the past, or that the university was manipulating the process to favour him, were entirely untrue. Babcock also dismissed suggestions that the selection committee was biased, stressing that the committee has been operating with utmost integrity and accountability.
The management clarified the matter surrounding Ojewole’s absence in 2018, explaining that the aspirant had gone on official leave to travel with his wife to the United States to provide parental support for their children. It insisted that his absence was not related to any disciplinary sanction, scandal, or internal punishment as alleged in the publication. Babcock added that presenting such personal family reasons as evidence of misconduct was not only deceptive but also an attempt to malign the character of the candidate.
No evidence, no records, no credibility
Babcock University stated that the so-called advocacy group, “The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group,” along with its alleged coordinator, Samson Fasasi, does not exist in any credible form and has never submitted any complaint to the university. It said that the allegations, including the phantom disciplinary committee and fabricated sanctions, are baseless claims designed to mislead the public. The institution added that no credible evidence has been presented by the originators of the story to back their assertions, further proving the false nature of the publication.
The management emphasized that the University Governing Council’s 2025 Search Committee is operating strictly under spiritual, ethical, and procedural guidelines consistent with the values of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Nigerian law. According to the institution, the appointment of a new President/Vice-Chancellor is regarded as a sacred process that demands integrity, transparency, and high moral standards, not propaganda, lobbying, or blackmail. The university therefore reaffirmed that the entire process will continue without interference or compromise.
Management threatens legal action against defamation
Babcock University also warned individuals and groups spreading these defamatory stories to desist immediately or face legal consequences. The management stressed that it would not hesitate to pursue legal action to protect the integrity of the institution, the Church, and the individuals unfairly targeted by the allegations. It insisted that the reputation of Babcock University is built on discipline, morality, and academic excellence, values that it will continue to defend against blackmail or misinformation.
[/p]Furthermore, the university appealed to all candidates, staff, students, and supporters to refrain from any form of propaganda, misrepresentation, or divisive tactics that could compromise the credibility of the leadership transition process. It reassured the public and its stakeholders that it remains committed to fairness, accountability, and justice in the search for a new Vice-Chancellor.
Babcock concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to a transparent and credible leadership transition, emphasizing that the appointment of the next Vice-Chancellor will be guided strictly by merit, moral uprightness, and service to both the university and the Seventh-Day Adventist mission. The institution urged stakeholders to disregard the defamatory publication and remain confident in the ongoing process, which it described as a demonstration of its values and long-standing reputation for truth and accountability.