He came in at a time when the country was about to experience economic recession. But as a good sailor is known only in tumultuous current of air, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka appears to be sailing through the storm with uncommon calmness and placidity.
Despite all the insults and snide remarks from the critics of his administration, Olayinka goes about his job unflustered, telling whoever cares to listen that ”I applied for the job, therefore I don’t have to complain in taking the rough with the smooth”.
It may be recalled that no sooner he took over the mantle of leadership as the 12th Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan on December 1, 2015 than he experienced the first baptism of fire from the workers under the aegis of the Joint Action Congress (JAC), who protested non-payment of their earned allowance. This was when personnel subvention was grossly reduced from Abuja following fall in the prices of petroleum prices in the international market. He appealed, begged for understanding and persuaded the workers to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace on campus. However, he hardly extricated himself from the workers’ talon before the students staged their own war, calling for the reinstatement of some of their erring colleagues who were on suspension. It was as if unmitigated crises were waiting for him in office.
Indeed, Prof. Olayinka administration had a rough take-off in 2015, yet the reasons were not his own making; rather they were largely circumstantial. The poor financial situation in the country has taken a heavy toll on the all aspects of life including university administration. There was and still is,poor funding. Personnel cost is grossly inadequate, capital projects subvention is almost non-existent, facilities are poorly maintained, yet the system must run. The woes of Federal Government universities’ administrators are further compounded when they are barred from increasing tuition fees. Without doubt, the poor economic situation Prof. Olayinka inherited adversely skewed his vision and mission statements for his alma mater, thus, portraying him as seemingly incapacitated.
However, with his dogged determination, coupled with the profundity of his knowledge, the thoroughness of his perception as well as the analytical precision of his argument, Prof. Olayinka seems to have convinced his critics that there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The VC has evidently and greatly stabilised the wavering situations; he has competently mastered the game and has been rising so high to the amazement of those who had earlier accused him of ineptitude!
Statutorily, a VC is expected to provide academic leadership for both students and their teachers. Prof. Olayinka has glaringly done so excellently in this regard. He takes keen interest in all academic matters in the university. For instance, recently, he posted graphic performances of all 100-level students on the social media for both students and parents to see. He drew the conclusions that the general performance was poor, thereby challenging students to buckle up, otherwise they may be asked to withdraw from the university. Over 200 people shared the post, signifying the relevance.This is just to show how serious he takes academic matters.
Under his watch, the university has witnessed tremendous academic growth. The Senate of the university has approved additional 10 new academic programmes including Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, Estate Management and Business Education among others. This is in addition to the upcoming Accounting, Banking and Finance whose Faculty has been built by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Prof. Olayinka, with the approval of Council, has also established the new office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), saddled with the responsibilities of facilitating innovation and collaboration for the overall development of the university.
To tackle the protracted energy crisis on campus, the VC has been driving the ongoing 10 megawatts/solar plant Independent Power Project (IPP) with missionary zeal. He has also led the university into negotiation for another 10MW renewable energy project with another consortium, headed by Highland Energy Solution Services Ltd and Greenleaf University, the United States of America. Both projects, when completed, will guarantee regular supply of up to 20MW electricity at UI disposal.
Also, to the credit of Prof. Olayinka, the University of Ibadan has attracted more foreign students than ever before. Apart from those on the Pan African University (PAU) programme, 31 students from different West African countries who are being sponsored by the Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently resident on campus, undertaking postgraduate studies. In addition, a set of 22 postgraduate students from the Republic of Benin are also on campus receiving intensive training in English language, preparatory to the commencement of their postgraduate studies in 2017/18 academic session.
In the area of capital projects, Prof. Olayinka administration has not done badly in the last two years with the quantum of projects springing up in all available spaces. While construction of private hostel buildings under the public-private partnership is adding values to the university, renovation of existing structures is indeed a spectacle to behold. From the newly built edifice serving Pan African University as private hostel, to the construction of Alumni Postgraduate hostel and to the Dangote Foundation Building which is going to serve as UI School of Business, it is obvious that Prof. Olayinka is not only living his dream but also leaving enduring legacies with several donations he is facilitating. Along with his wife, Dr. Eyiwumi Olayinka, recently too, the VC commanded Bode Amao Creche/Nursery School Building into existence to the admiration of the university community. The Crèche has since transformed into a wonder, with an imposing and elaborate structure.
Above all, Prof. Olayinka in the last two years, has displayed a culture of transparency that is difficult to fault. No one has ever accused him of stealing from the university’s coffer or manipulating the resources of the institution to his own advantage. He lays all the cards on the table. Whenever there is any money from Abuja or elsewhere, he will promptly call all the stakeholders including the union leaders to a meeting over it, thereby eliminating rumour mongering. In fact, some of his critics agree that he is transparent to a fault as he has nothing to hide.
Interestingly when asked to assess the hotness of the seat he has been occupying in the last two years, the Professor of Geology simply said, ”I wasn’t expecting that the job was going to be a tea party. I have been part of this community for about 40 years now, so I am conversant with the system. I understand the challenges and I know that problems well slated are half-solved.”
Though Prof. Olayinka confirmed that he has no regret becoming the VC at a very tough time like this, he however cited a day one of the matriculating students was wounded by protesting workers as his ”saddest day”. According to him, ”I felt so bad that a staff member who was supposed to act as a loco parentis to students wounded one of them while protesting. What if that wounded student was my biological daughter, would I be happy?”
He expressed appreciation to all the university benefactors including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Bode Amao among others just as he thanked the entire university community for the support rendered so far. Prof. Olayinka promised that the remaining three years of his tenure will bring more goodies to the university because, according to him, ”I can see that things are getting better”.
With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that Prof. Olayinka has stabilised on the job, cruising at a comfortable level. But his only challenge remains just the same: money. He needs money to run the system. He needs money to fix some of the nagging problems. Perhaps this is where UI alumni have a crucial role to play. The university has produced quality men and women who are making waves across the globe. They need to come back for a flashback and assist their alma mater. This university has no reason to be poor if all its resources are harnessed . This university will be 70 years old next year. Its lots must be better than what we have now. It is possible.
Saanu is Media Assistant to the Vice Chancellor,UI
Email: sundaysaanu@yahoo.com
