The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Ajibola: Crescent varsity graduates doing well

    Some years ago, the Crescent University, Abeokuta, introduced a scholarship scheme named the Bola Ajibola Scholarship for Academic and Moral Excellence after the founder of the university, Prince Bola Ajibola.

    During the 10th convocation of the 13-year old institution penultimate week, Prince Ajibola expressed joy that the scheme had produced many brilliant scholars “whose education may be truncated due to lack of finance.”

    “I am glad that one of those beneficiaries has performed so exceedingly well as to be the best graduating student of today: Ayokunnumi Tiamiyu, congratulations”, Ajibola said.

    Ayokunumi Tiamiyu graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91 in Microbiology.

    The 21-year old now holds the record of the highest CGPA ever produced by a student of the university.

    At the event, she thanked Judge Ajibola for scholarship which came at a time she could have dropped out because of her parents’ inability to pay her fees.

    “I had already lost hope of continuing my studies at Crescent University. I was almost requesting for my transcript to seek admission into a public university when I learnt about the Bola Ajibola Schoalrship for Academic and Moral Excellence.  That was In 2016, when I was in 200-Level with a CGPA of 2.95.

    “A few months later, I got a call from the school to come and apply for my scholarship – that he had spoken to the Vice Chancellor about it” she said.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibraheem Gbajabiamila assured Ms Tiamiyu she would get the scholarship but must maintain her first class grade throughout her studies, a feat she achieved.

    Ms Tiamiyu, who was offered automatic employment by Judge Ajibola, praised him for his generosity and selflessness.

    In his speech, Ajibola, said graduates of the institution were doing well professionally and academically post-graduation.

    “The atmosphere of learning and quality of Faculty has continued to ensure that our products compete with the best available anywhere in the world.

    “Since the first graduation, products of Crescent University have been doing us proud in employment, entrepreneurship and further studies,” he said.

    Ajibola referred to products of the university as a galaxy of stars shining forth for the entire world to see.  He added that the university’s slogan, “Our First Class is World Class” had proven to be true considering the successes recorded by the university’s products in other universities around the world.

    Speaking on the invitation of Judge Ajibola to motivate the graduating students, an alumna of the university, Rafiat Raji, who graduated with a First-Class, said she had been able to demystify what she referred to as delusion among her friends and colleagues who looked down on graduates from private universities by her outstanding performances in her Master’s degree at Robert Gordon University, Scotland as well as in her corporate life.

    “if you allow anybody to downgrade your certificate because you graduated from a private university, that is your fault”, noting that Crescent University had nurtured her to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with graduates from any university around the world,” she said.

    A total of 424 graduated at the event from Colleges of Law (BACOLAW), Information and Communication Technology (CICOT), Natural and Applied Sciences (CONAS), Environmental Sciences (COES), and Arts, Social and Management Sciences (CASMAS).

    Of the number, Prof Gbajabiamila said 30 graduated with First Class; 171, Second Class (upper division); 156, Second Class (Lower division); while 67 had Third Class.

    The university also graduated 17 students with Master’s degree from Departments of Accounting, Mass Communication, Economics, Chemical Sciences and Banking and Finance.

    The Proprietor’s prizes for the best behaved male graduating student went to Salako Abdulmutallib while Arowona Islamiyyah clinched the proprietor’s prize for the best behaved female graduating student.

  • Justice for Ochanya

    There is yet another cruelty creeping out of Nigeria and this is calling the morality of whole country to question. Just when children are still basking in the euphoria of the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl-Child (IDGC), a highly demoralising news broke, exposing the ordeal of little Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbaje, a 13-year-old girl who died after being violated in multiple times by her caregivers -Mr Andrew Ogbuja, an employee of Benue State Polytechnic in Ugbokolo, and his son, Victor Inalegwu, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

    The young victim suffered Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) after she was multiply violated by Ogbuja and his son. The condition led to her death, following the pain and suffering. The young Ochanya paid the supreme price for being born into a society that still has no pragmatic policies to secure the future of the girl child.

    Ochanya, like every other girl of her age, deserved care, love, education and a future to behold; not the gift of VVF from perverted elements in a society she hoped would help raise her to become a woman with great purpose and promise.

    I am lending my voice to demand justice for Little Ochanya. I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community to the fact that girls in Nigeria, nay Africa, still face ordeals that snuffed life out of Ochanya ever day. The future of the African child is being aborted by sexual abusers, child labourers and other criminals who are exploiting the innocence of the young people for their personal gains.

    The Nigerian government must consider Ochanya’s eventuality a slap in the face of our social and justice system as a nation. We have have failed to provide the needed security for the Nigerian child.

    Let the justice system show itself strong and rise up to the challenge of dispensing justice swiftly regarding this dastardly act of incest and forceful violation.

    Let all guilty of the crime against Ochanya be made to face the full wrath of the law to serve as a warning for pedophiles and perverts exposing African child to danger.

    May the soul of little Ochanya and all young girls who died after suffering this cruel fate. The society must rise and seek justice for the late Ochanya.

    • Akpem is a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State

  • RSW: N6.5 m win surprises LASU student

    The third graduation of the Ready Set Work (RSW) – the work-readiness and entrepreneurship initiative of the Lagos State Government for undergraduates – will remain memorable for Vivian.

    It was at that event held on Tuesday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki that the 20-year old student of the Lagos State University (LASU) was announced winner of the Business Pitch competition of the initiative.

    Vivian who had lost hope of even emerging the second runner up, was dumbfounded when a clip of her presentation was projected signifying her as the winner.

    With teary eyes, she mounted the podium.  Unable to contain her joy, she stood helplessly crying until she was comforted by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who congratulated her for her feat.

    Governor Ambode gave her N5million – an addition to the original N1.5 million prize meant as seed fund for her organic skin care products.

    Vivian will also get N100,000 working capital for three months while she works to take her project off the ground.

    The Lagos State University student’s idea on skin care products made with herbal, natural organic oils to solve skin issues wowed the judges ahead of 14 others.

    Vivian, who started her business eight months ago, was happy to receive funds that would help expand her business.

    The final year English student said: “I was surprised when my name was called. I never expected to even be among the three best; because initially I was not doing well at first. I did not know what to do. But I am surprised that I won. I told my friend this morning that I would not be among the winners today because during the presentation, there were many contenders who I felt did much better than me.

    “This money will really help my business a lot because it is something I have passion for. It is something I have been into for eight months. I have been able to reach out to people, able to treat their skin issues and provide products that do not damage the skin. My products are natural products that help to maintain the skin colour.    I thank Governor Ambode for this programme.  It has help me academically; my self-esteem’ my communication skills; and my business”

    Her friend, Latifat Adewale who also shared in the happiness, said she has learnt persistence from her friend’s success

    “Ready Set Work has been educative, entertaining and mind opening. My happiest moment since this programme began is today. Seeing my friend clinche the first position was a dream that was almost thrown away. She had actually lost hope in the contest because she was not really the talking type. Even before the competition there was a time she told me that she cannot continue but as a friend, I always tried to encourage her not to give up.

    “When they announced the third and second place and I did not hear her name, I was devastated .but when her name was mention as the winner, tears dropped down my eyes.  Immediately I had flashback of all the chats we had; how she almost gave up this life time opportunity. Then it dawned on me that, no matter what, we should not give up because you don’t know how close you are to your breakthrough,” said Latifat, a final year student of Business Administration at LASU.

    Ayodeji Popoola who won the second place with his Eko Laundry business idea, got N4 million from the Governor and N1 million seed funding and a working capital of 100,000 for three months.

    Filled with joy, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said the 13-week intensive training was a life changer for him.

    “I didn’t expect it, I can’t just explain the feeling, I went blank when I was called. RSW has been the most impactful programme I have ever attended in my life. The beauty of this is that all through my 13 weeks, I never for once felt nonchalant to attend the training. Every Saturday, I woke up early; in fact I plan the day before. I was able to learn and understood how to solve problems. I learnt what emotional intelligence is; work place characters. It was also a moment of network with people. I learnt how to accommodate and appreciate other people’s view point.

    “As a young Nigerian the first thing i gave up was my Saturday football. I used to watch football every Saturday and used that time to hang out with my friends, family time, rest, and also to reflect on how the week went so I had to give up all that. But I am proud to say it was worth the sacrifice,” he said.

    Mariam Adeniyi of LASU came third.  She presented a snail business idea that she has been into with her mum.  She won the governor’s prize of N3 million in addition to N750,000 and a working capital of 100,000nairafor three months.

    About 2,000 students who successfully completed the programme, would be placed for a three to six months paid internship with various organisations in the state.

    Ambode said he was excited that the initiative had impacted the lives of students greatly.

    He said he was happy to have made a difference in his tenure.

    “When I was graduating I had no direction. So when I see this happening after almost about 30 something years and I see people who are so energetic, excited I can say I have made a lot of difference. This is not about building bridges, hospitals and fly overs. I feel so excited today that I got this right and the future of this country is bright.

    “Three years ago I looked at about 500 students, 52 volunteers and friends and partners for this programme. At that time Ready Set Work was a new birthed idea and a deliberate endeavour of this administration that any student who graduated from tertiary institutions in our state, should get all the requisite skills, knowledge and tools as well as the right mindset to contribute to the labour market.   I am pleased to say we have stayed true to this vision and scaled up our impact. I am delighted to see how that small spark in2015 has become a roaring fire. 500in 2016 we are celebrating today the impact of the programme in the lives of over 37,000 students who have participated in this programme over the last three years. This so far has been achievable because of the committed sponsors, facilitators, and volunteers”.

    His Special Adviser on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh explained that the government was skeptical about the success and sustainability of the programme but was happy to know that human capital investment  which is key to the success of any nation, was paramount to those who volunteered to support the programme. Also those students embraced the opportunity to develop themselves.

    The Vice Chanclellor, LASU, Prof Lanre Fagbohun.=, praised the government for the initiative that has been addressing unemployment in the country since it started in 2015.

    “To the period preceding the last three years, the consistent challenge for the employers of labour has been the difficulty of finding employable graduates to fill available vacancies. The consensus was that there is a visible gap between the quality of tertiary institution graduates in Nigeria and the demands of the employers.  The legitimate expectation is that a tertiary institution graduate should be able to demonstrate basic understanding of the global economy, politics and relevant human natural relationships.  Beyond his understanding in the area of specialization, graduate must be able to bring new ideas to the work place, solve problems in a dynamic manner with the deployment of ICT..

    “ Beyond the rhetoric of unending doubts and suspicion of whether our graduates can ever measure up to standard and intellectual doom for Nigeria, the Lagos state government has use the last three years to begin a refraction and transformation of the green spectra of yester years using focused actives aimed at preparing participants for skilled entrepreneurship. Rsw has inspired change.  Our students now recognize the need to stand up for greatness, originality. They exude the confidence and strength that goes beyond the individual self-interest and supremacy of the mediocre”| he said.

    Mrs Feclicia Obosuwa of FCMB explained that it was worth the sacrifice to invest in the future hands. She though it was a 13week stressful experience but they actually learnt from students whom they had expected to teach

    “The adviser said the state was looking at a 13week programme to prepare young graduates for the world of work. As soon as we heard the concept we came on board.  We are not here as volunteers, we take up interns and retain interns as staff in the company.  We do this because we recognize the need to invest in the future of the state and the country. When we started we had the mind that interns would come and learn from us but indeed we learnt a lot from our interns. News perspectives, ideas, new blood in our organization and that is why we are always very eager to retain them after they intern with us.

  • Three students win Kola Daisi varsity scholars’ award

    The trio of Oba Akin-Lewis, Omotoke Solarin and Tobiloluwa  Oladeso of the Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State capital,  have been awarded the  scholars’ award.

    They were eligible for the award because of their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.82, 4.84 and 4.74 in their first year.

    As part of the benefits, they will not only be identified as scholars, but will enjoy partial scholarship and the privilege to be among prominent personalities at all functions in the university.  However, these benefits can only be maintained if they sustain a CGPA of 4.00 throughout their studies as well as exhibit good character and moral standard.

    Presenting certificates to them at the inauguration of the award, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Kolade  Ayorinde, said it was necessary to encourage and reward excellence.

    “One of the cardinal core values of a university is academic excellence.  To this end, the university decided to have its scholar scheme with effect from 2018/2019 session.  So, henceforth, we will be rewarding excellent performances.  So, these students have met the criteria in their 100 examination and they deserve to be rewarded.

    “To be a scholar, a student must have a CGPA of at least, 4.50. Also the students must maintain a CGPA of at least 4.0 in each of the session throughout his stay in the university and he must maintain an untainted character as expected from a university scholar,” he said.

    The event also featured the visit of Prof Eldryd Parry, founder Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) and his wife, Helen.  They explained that a university should not just be a criterion to get job, but should be a ‘factory’ where students are refined to be solution providers. They advised the students to make good use of their stay in the university.

    Helen advised the students not to focus their learning on the internet, but read books to expose them to different point of views.

    “Learning via internet and reading books is a total world of difference. The internet gives you someone else’s predigested opinions therefore, they choose what you are going to read. Whereas if you read books you should choose from a wide range of different perspectives and point of views so that you can hear what other people have to say.  To be an intelligent and well educated person, you need to be able to think about other people’s opinions as well as yours and evaluate them. You need to expose yourself to the whole of an argument not just a piece of it. Do not center your researches on the internet, read books, expose yourself to different ideas, it builds your mind,” she said.

    The founder of the school, Kola Daisi, described Parry as a man who has spent his lifetime in the pursuit of knowledge acquisition, wisdom and skills to develop humanity, most especially in Africa. He noted that the school will continue to provide good infrastructure and conducive learning environment to produce quality students.

  • How Kaffy re-wrote the dance narrative in Nigeria

    Born on June 30, 1980 as Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau in Lagos State, Kaffy has redefined Nigeria’s entertainment industry as a dancer, choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach. Her story is that of transition from grass to grace through perseverance, hard work, dedication and self-drive. It is on this premise that I will be looking into the life of this accomplished and self-actualised young woman.

    Kaffy attended Chrisland School in Opebi, Lagos and Coker Secondary School for her primary and post-primary education. Right from her childhood, she had always loved dancing and this made her to participate in a lot of sporting activities in her schools, including taking ballet classes. Though she was born into wealth, things took a downward trend for her family when her parents separated. Life became so hard that they found it difficult to eke out a living. The once prosperous family wallowed in wants and Kaffy took the pain of survival, taking gari (cassava flakes) for several months.

    Her walk into fame was birthed when she resolved to help people lose weight. She joined an aerobics class and was always regular and punctual. This prompted her aerobics teacher to appoint her to lead the class whenever she was unavailable. Being a dancer, she infused dancing into aerobics and the class loved it, always wanting her to lead whenever the teacher was absent.

    Fate thrust her into dancing when she was approached by a promoter for a modelling job. Part of the modelling activity was choreography. Even though she didn’t want to do the choreography at first, she later agreed and asked the promoter to allow her do a solo performance. Unknown to her, many artistes were present at the event and loved her performance. Some of the artistes, including Ruggedman and Adewale Ayuba, approached her after her performance, wanting her to be part of their songs’ videos. That was how Kaffy became famous and gradually stepped up the ladder to become a professional dancer.

    Kaffy started professional dancing in 2002 and ever since she has been an inspiration and a positive role model to many, most especially, young people interested in dancing. She has co-ordinated many events, some of which are: Malta Guinness Street Dance, MTN Project Fame, and Silverbird Unplugged where she was either a choreographer, a fitness trainer or a judge.

    She has also appeared in many top-rated music videos of top Nigerian artistes, such as Ruggedman and P-Square, among many others. She has coordinated and performed in a host of other events too many to mention in this article.

    In 2006, Kaffy with her dance group achieved a rare feat of dancing for 55 hours and 40 minutes to claim the Guinness Book of Record for the longest dance party. This established her career as a dancer and helped portray Nigeria in good light.

    Her desire to impact and groom the next generation of dancers led her to establish a dance company, Imagneto Dance Company. Many dancers, who passed through this training centre are doing great in the industry today. A lot of aspiring dancers today were inspired by her larger-than-life personae and success story. An example is Rita Adoh, a graduate, who trained with Kaffy at the her dance school. She sponsored herself through college from proceeds she got from dancing. She hopes to make a fortune from dancing. Rita is one among the many youths Kaffy is grooming to storm and take over the entertainment world.

    Kaffy is an advocate for Nigerian dancers. She has, at various times, challenged musicians to treat dancers with dignity and respect. One of such was when she called out Davido for cancelling a performance with a dance crew at the last minute. Kaffy was not disrespected personally. But this was her business as the leader of the art. And in the absence of any legal channel to seek redress, Kaffy took it upon herself to pass across a strong and palpable message to the world. Dancers need to be respected.

    Her advocacy has improved the way dancers are being treated in Nigeria and this won her the special recognition award at the 2018 edition of the Headies Award. Many people are now beginning to see dancers as professional artistes and not the last chain of command in the entertainment industry. Young people now pursue dancing as a career because Kaffy serves as their inspiration in the field.

    Kaffy’s story encapsulates hard work, resilience, dedication, defiance to status quo and a desire to help others succeed; what other ways can one describe self-actualisation? She is not only self- actualised, but an inspiration to many and a symbol of the can-do spirit of a Nigerian.

  • UNN students lament inaccessible portal

    Students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ) have lamented the difficulty in accessing the school’s portal for accommodation.

    Some of the students who spoke in an interview said they were not able to generate hostel invoice.

    “We were asked to log in to the school portal to generate hostel invoice on Tuesday 23rd October,2018 for returning students, while the new students were expected to do the same on Monday, 22nd October,2018.

    “ However, some of the first year students were lucky to get a bed space while some were unlucky.”

    A newly admitted student who pleaded anonymity said ” the reason I was unable to get a bed space was due to the fact that the site was clogged up and it kept on saying server too busy.

    “I just hope that since the school has said that we have 40% chances of getting a bed space that the portal will be reopened for first years”.

    Since Tuesday, majority of the other students have found it difficult to access the website thereby leaving them only with the option of seeking accommodation off campus as academic activities are soon to kick off.

    Read Also: UNN has achieved its goals under my watch, says VC

    A 300 level student also narrated her ordeal of the same situation said that “I have not been able to generate my hostel invoice since on Tuesday.

    ” I have had sleepless night for two days just for the sake of this issue but it has proved abortive”.

    Another student also recalled that ” there was a similar issue last year which led to majority of the student staying off campus.”

    A final year student added that ” the only reason I still insist on getting a bed space is due to the benefits that comes with it”.

    “Altogether, the site is a total scam and the school should please do something about the site as I cannot see myself joggling with accommodation and project work”.

  • NUC approves new programmes for two Ogun schools

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved three new courses for Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, while its affiliate institution, Tai Solarin College of Education, got approval for seven full-time degree programmes.

    The three new programmes approved for OOU are Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Linguistics and Music, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Nursing.

    The full-time programmes approved for the college located in Omu-Eleni are BSc. degrees in Political Science; Education and Economics; Education and Mathematics; Education and Computer Science; Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)  Guidance and Counselling; Business Education and Social Studies.

    The schools hailed the NUC for approving the courses, saying it would expand their academic activities and encourage them to produce manpower for the nation. OOU said admission into the programmes would start from 2018/2019 academic session.

    The NUC’s approval has made the courses being run by OOU to be 73, out of which 67 courses have full accreditation, while three had interim accreditation.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ganiyu Olatunji, hailed members of staff and students of the university for their efforts and contributions towards making the school better in academics. He appreciated the NUC for the courses’ approval.

     

  • Ajasin varsity partners institute on research, capacity building

    Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has partnered Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) in Akure, the state capital, on research and capacity development.

    The agreement, signed by leadership of both academic institutions, followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the university Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, and the Managing Director of the Federal Government-owned institute, Dr. Samuel Olusunle.

    The MoU is expected to be in effect for a period of three years in the first instance. With the partnership,  facilitated by AAUA’s Centre for Research and Development (CRD), both parties will explore areas of common interest for possible collaboration through capacity development and collaborative research and development.

    Also, members of staff and a select number of AAUA students will be allowed access to the required facilities of EMDI for academic and research purposes. EMDI is expected to provide opportunities to select students of the university for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

    The agreement is also expected to make provision for research collaborations in natural and applied sciences, engineering and other related fields and the facilities of any of the parties, which will aid trainings,accreditations, certifications and consultancy, among others.

    The VC disclosed that beneficiaries would have access to engineering construction equipment and materials available in the institute, pointing out that the school will make optimal use of the agreement.

    The EMDI boss said the institute has had successful partnership with corporations and academic institutions in the state, adding that AAUA will benefit greatly from the partnership.

    He urged researchers to make use of the facilities available in the institute, adding that EMDI and AAUA will reap profits from the commercialisation of research results.

     

  • ‘Accountability, teamwork key to realising our goals’

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Prof Sam Guobadia, has urged the school’s employees to improve students’ academic experience by making integrity, accountability, teamwork and honesty their watchwords in the discharge of their duties.

    The VC gave the admonition during the 2018 Staff Orientation Programme, organised by the school in preparation for the new academic session.

    Prof Guobadia enjoined the staff not to engage in acts that would tarnish their professional reputation and put them in trouble with the school. According to the VC, the value proposition, which the university is selling to the world, is academic excellence with godliness.

    He thanked the management and staff for their commitment and hard work towards the achievements recorded in the last academic year.

    Speaking on University’s culture, vision and mission, President of the school, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa, urged members of staff to be disciplined and keep their focus on how to excel in their individual tasks.

    He said: “For you to raise a leader, you must also be a leader. A follower cannot raise a leader, only a leader can raise a leader. We are raising people, who will have positive influence in our communities and the nation.”

    He praised the employees for their “steadfastness and commitment” to the raising leaders, who are complete in spirit, mind and body, thus contributing to the production of high-level leadership and quality manpower for the nation and the world.

    The registrar, Reverend Mike Okagbare, who spoke on Disciplined professional administrator, advised new staff to avail themselves of the school rules, adding that their activities must be result-driven in order to achieve the goals set for the academic session.

     

  • Time to break the graveyard silence

    I grew up at a time of academic vibrancy; this was an era when some of the best known critics of military rule were academics. During the robust International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) debate on the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the General Ibrahim Babangida regime in the 1980s, our scholars were at the forefront providing alternatives to the regime’s “no alternative to SAP.”

    They used all available means to get their messages across by providing credible alternatives on how to jumpstart the economy. Newspapers were filled with incisive articles, position papers, seminar reports, communiques etc highlighting what need to be done. Both scholars from the right and left freely aired their views and opinions.

    If you’re part of my generation you’ll definitely question why our varsities are quiet at a time solutions are urgently needed for the myriad of problems confronting our society; what went wrong? Why the graveyard silence from our academics on critical issues of national concern? Even the once fiery and articulate Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is somewhat silent these days. If – in the past – you’ve read communiques from ASUU meetings on national issues you’ll appreciate the point I’m trying to pass across. Sadly, we only get to hear them now when reminding the government it is reneging on agreements reached with the union and to put government on notice that they would soon proceed on strike.

    In the past, there was no way you can silence the likes of late Prof Eskor Toyo, the highly revered University of Calabar Marxist economist. Same with the late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, a world class historian from ABU, late Prof Claude Ake, a notable political economist from UNIPORT, late Prof JF Ade Ajayi, Prof Bade Onimode, another Marxist economist and a host of other fiery scholars.

    Their grasps of issues are almost incontrovertible. Picking up some of their works any day will show you our problems did not start today. But they never remained silent. Some works – like some of the late Eskor Toyo I came across – were hand written because of inability to publish! Now that socio-economic life is wobbling, our ivory towers are as silent as the graveyard.

    I’m concerned because we live in a rapidly changing world and it appears our varsities are being left behind – some say we have already been left behind. Over the past couple of decades, ‘globalisation’ and the emergence of the ‘knowledge economy’ have given rise to new economic, social, political and cultural challenges to which nations, regions and higher education systems and institutions are responding.

    It is widely assumed that in the context of these new challenges specific knowledge, competencies and skills – often referred to as ‘human capital’ – come to play an increasingly important role in developmental efforts, as do research, innovation and technological development. Knowledge production, accumulation, transfer and application have become major factors in socio-economic development and are increasingly at the core of national development strategies of serious nations for gaining competitive advantages in the global knowledge economy.

    Universities are expected to be playing a key role in delivering the knowledge requirements for development. Research has – for example – suggested a strong nexus between higher education participation rates and levels of development. While the higher education participation rates in many high-income countries are well over 50%, in sub-Saharan Africa they are in most cases below 5%.

    Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that high levels of education in general – and of higher education in particular – are essential for the design and productive use of new technologies, while they also provide the foundations for a nation’s innovative capacity, and contribute more than any other social institution to the development of civil society.

    Nations like India and China are aware of this. It is not by accident that the Chinese and Indian economies have displayed unprecedented levels of sustained growth since the early 1990s. China embarked on a knowledge-based growth track by attracting massive foreign direct investment and then building indigenous knowledge capacity through huge investments in education and research. India has succeeded by making the best use of its elite education institutions and exploiting international information technology-related opportunities, in part through the deft use of knowledge assets.

    Why the emphasis on varsities we may ask? A bit of perspective is needed here to give us a bird’s eye view. Following independence, universities in Nigeria – and Africa generally – were expected to be key contributors to the human resource needs. There was a particular focus on the development of human resources for the civil service and the public professions. This was to address the acute shortages in these areas that were the result of the gross underdevelopment of universities under colonialism, and the departure of colonial administrators and professionals following independence.

    The importance of the university was further underscored by the now-famous ‘Accra declaration’ that all universities must be ‘development universities.’ It was agreed that this was such an important task that the university could not be left to academics alone; it was also the responsibility of governments to steer universities in the development direction.

    Despite the rhetoric about the ‘development university,’ almost all African governments did little to promote the development role of universities. In part this was because many of these governments had not developed a coherent development model. In addition, many had become increasingly embroiled in internal power struggles, and the external politics of the Cold War and funding agencies such as the World Bank.

    The new normal was interference by government, rather than steering varsities. This was compounded as Nigeria and most African countries witnessed series of military coups and counter coups. Universities became sites of contestation – partially around the development model, and partially around lack of delivery, which included inadequate funding for the institutions. And what was the result? Governments, other stakeholders and academics became sceptical, if not suspicious, of the university’s role in national development. This led to a notion that higher education was a ‘luxury ancillary’ – nice to have, but not necessary. Thus, it was “difficult” to see what contribution universities were making to development; in part, because of prolonged economic crises and the high costs associated with higher education.

    The World Bank did not help matters when it came out with its infamous ‘rate of return to investments in education’ study. It concluded that development efforts in Africa should be refocused to concentrate on primary education! This clearly became evident in the dramatic decreases in per capita spending on higher education in Africa:

    Unlike the approach in China and India emphasising higher education and primary and secondary education simultaneously in their development strategies, the World Bank strategy in Africa delinked universities from development. In addition, it led to development policies that had negative consequences for African nations and their sustainable development potential.

    Neglect of higher education led to the disestablishment of research centres, medical schools, agricultural centres, telecommunication and technological development, business training centres, vocational schools and other areas in the higher education sector, which are critical to the development of African societies and their economies.

    However, during the 1990s and early 2000s, some influential voices started calling for the revitalisation of the African university and for linking higher education to development. The World Bank itself, influenced by Prof Manuel Castells’ path-breaking paper, ‘The University System: Engine of development in the new world economy,’ made a detour and started embracing the role of higher education in the knowledge economy and for development  in the developing world.

    To this end, it sponsored a study on ‘Higher Education and Economic Development in Africa’ by Harvard University scholars David Bloom, David Canning, and Kevin Chan. They challenged the belief that tertiary education has little role in promoting economic growth. To them, investing in tertiary education may accelerate technological diffusion, which would decrease knowledge gaps and help reduce poverty in the region.

    It’s time for our academics to wake up and break the graveyard silence.