Nigerian varsities on suicidal path, says ex- VC
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Musbau Adewumi Akanji, has observed that Nigerian Universities are on suicidal path.
Akanji, in his Valedictory Lecture at the University of Ilorin, lamented that Nigerian Universities have jettisoned their primary mandate of generating new knowledge principally because appointments to faculties are not designed to attract the best candidates.
He said: “Nigerian Universities want to be among the best in the world but ignore the cardinal principle of attracting staff from diverse places.
“To circumvent this, appointments are done via ‘temporary’ mode instead of by tested advertisements. It has become virtually impossible to be appointed into the faculty without knowing somebody in the corridors of powers that be.
“it is easier for Nigerians to be appointed into faculties and even leadership positions in universities in other parts of the world than in universities located outside his/her local community in Nigeria.”
Prof. Akanji, who is currently working at the Kwara State University, Malete, after retiring from University of Ilorin said if the rising wave of this ugly trend continues unabated, particularly in the areas of employability and strict adherence to academic culture, the aim of setting up the ivory towers in Nigeria will be defeated.
“If the current situation persists, it will lead to self-immolation of Nigerian Universities which will consequently result in non-competitivenes with their counterparts from other regions of the world. It would amount to our universities committing suicide. The nation will be poorer for it,” he added.
According to him, the simple solution is to go to the time honoured process of advertising vacant positions and processing through rigorous interview pathway.
Akanji, a Professor of Biochemistry, joined the services of the University of Ilorin in September 1986 and bowed out of the service in 2021 having served the institution meritoriously for the period of 35 years.
In their separate good will messages at the occasion, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and current Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Board (JAMB) , Prof. Is’haq Olarewaju Oloyede; the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. Muhammed Mustapaha Akanbi SAN; and the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Yusuf Noah extolled the virtues of Professor Akanji, describing him as “an astute administrator, an erudite scholar of international repute, a diligent and forthright academician who has made significant contributions to the body of knowledge in Nigeria and beyond.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem Age, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Sylvester Malomo, congratulated Prof. Akanji for successfully serving the University meritoriously, saying that he has made an indelible mark which cannot be forgotten in a hurry and wished him a more joyous life after retirement.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Science, Prof. (Mrs) Oladiji, had said that the faculty and University of Ilorin in general would miss Prof. Akanji.
The well attended event was graced by people from all walks of life including all the principal officers of the KWASU, FUT Minna, Al-Hikmah University and several other Tertiary institutions and private establishments across the country.