As the university celebrates its 40th anniversary, what would be your projections for this institution in, say, another 40 years?
Right now we have set up few units within the university, and my prayer is that in the next 40 years, those units or projects will have come to fruition, so that people will start feeling the impact of having a university of UNILORIN status in their domain.
We just set up a renewable energy centre; and that centre, when it comes to fruition, should be able to address our energy needs in terms of augmenting what PHCN is able to do. It should also be able to (address the problem of) desertification that is encroaching on our land, and make the environment more friendly. (Another unit) that we just set up is the LTP (Laboratory to Product) Centre with the hope of translating all our research findings into products to be used by everybody. Of course, when we do that, it will make the university more financially buoyant as well as bring development and innovation closer to people. I also hope that in the next 40 years, more funds will be made available to researchers to be able to refine whatever they are doing so that they can turn out better products for people. I hope that all our investments in teak, oil palm, jatropha and dates plantations will start also to yield fruits. I foresee in the next 40 years a more buoyant UNILORIN that will be able to make greater impact on the society.
What are the immediate challenges?
The university needs more money. We have in our plan few projects that we need money to execute. For instance, the Stem Cell laboratory will cost some money, because stem cell research is a state-of-the-art research that needs a separate infrastructure as well as equipment to drive it. Right now we have three of our staff that are in the United States (they left just about two weeks ago) to improve their skills in stem cell research. Before they come back, I need to put few things in place so that the skill they acquire will not evaporate.
What would you say has been the selling point or strength of this university these past years? I think it’s our academic stability. It’s only when you are stable, when you have peace that you can sit down and put a process in place for what you want to do, where you want to be and how to get there.
UNILORIN has established a reputation for itself for running the most stable academic calendar in the country. And that explains why everyone wants to come here; but at what cost to staff unionism? How have you been able to pacify the staff unions to achieve this measure of stability?
The union leaders here have become very constructive and the management has been very open to them. Usually, when it comes to conflicts between unions and management – what are the major challenges? It’s either there is no water or light, or the environment is dirty, classrooms are not conducive, salaries are not being paid, allowances are being shortchanged, or they are not allowed to air their views, and so on. But here at UNILORIN, everybody is free to come to the vice chancellor to express himself in terms of the dreams for this university. At the end of the day, if it’s possible, we do it. If we are handicapped because of funds, we tell you. And if you bring solution, we implement. I also tell them that I’m the chairman of all the chairmen on the campus; because while ASUU is restricted to the welfare of academic staff, SANU and NASU to all their members, I’m for all of them. Everybody’s welfare is my priority. So, they’ve been very constructive in their expression. We’ve been very open to one another. I think that has helped us.
What is the situation now over the fate of the university staff schools across the country?
We are all federal government establishments, and we have to abide by the federal government’s rules and regulations; but there are still a lot of discussions going on at high levels. The pro-chancellors’ committee has taken up the matter with the government; the committee of vice chancellors is also presenting its position, and the unions are not left out.
Now, why would you allow 65,000 candidates to sit the UNILORIN’s post-UTME when you knew you were not going to admit up to 8,000?
I want to have the best among the 65,000. In fact, if everybody should apply to this university, the better for me; it gives me the opportunity to screen as many people as possible and admit the best.
Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the announcement of minister of education. But some are saying the minister should come from tertiary institutions while others say he/she can come from other sectors. What is your take?
To me, all we need is somebody who has the interest of education in mind, irrespective of his background. We have had ministers of education from academics that have disappointed the system, while we’ve had a history of some of them coming in to really give the (sector) the best shot. To me, it doesn’t matter where they come from, as long as they have the interest of the system at heart.
What is the level of progress made now with regard to the accommodation problem on campus?
About two or three years ago when I came on board, that was what I promised to pursue, and I’m happy to say that since our campaign started, we have had reasonable response. I think about four or five entrepreneurs have responded to put up edifice to accommodate students. Students’ accommodation is improving. We have more people now on campus. In fact, come this October, we are likely to have some private hostels commissioned. Plans are still underway to have quite a number of people both within and outside the country to come to the University of Ilorin to put up structures to accommodate more people.
What are your thoughts on the way to improve the state of primary and secondary education in the country?
I think we need to put structures in place that will improve education at that level; the teachers must be well trained. And that’s why at the University of Ilorin we just established primary and adult education department to contribute our quota towards achieving that. Then we have the responsibilities of the government and the parents. Government is the owner of primary and secondary education; so I would urge them to improve the environment, all the facilities they have in terms of better classrooms; in terms of better furniture in the classrooms; (engender) well motivated staff, and ensure they have reasonable class size. All those are additives to having good education.
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