Prof. Akanji: Nigerian universities on suicidal path Ex-FUTMinna VC Laments.

The former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Professor Musbau Adewumi Akanji, delivering a speech at the fourth valedictory lecture of the University of Ilorin, Faculty of Science, titled ‘Suicide is Cheap’ said ” Nigerian universities could only be among the best in the world if only they comply with the cardinal principle of attracting staff from diverse places, though the simple solution out of this situation is to go to the time honoured process of advertising vacant positions and processing through rigorous interview pathways.”

He further stressed that, applicants who are from the states where institutions are sited should be banned from applying for the duration of 10 years atleast, so the process won’t be biased. And after about 10 years, such restrictions could be lifted, as people would have become used to the idea of non-locals heading institutions as it was in the past. In his words “such politics played out at the premier University of Ibadan recently where the local community association published advertisement that an indigene of Ibadan must be appointed for the university. The university could not appoint a Vice-Chancellor for about a year.“ as the result of this.
Professor Akanji, warned that “If the current situation persists, it will lead to self immolation of our universities which will consequently result in non competitiveness with its counterparts from other regions of the world. “It would amount to our universities committing suicide. The nation will be poorer for it,” he stated.
The former VC, traced the suicidal path which Nigerian universities are threading on now to the military regime when all aspects of life in the nation, including the universities, were affected. he further disclosed that “there were cases where members of university Governing councils who were illiterates, would attend meetings just for the sitting allowances that will accrue to them.”
He complained, the situation has degenerated to the extent that 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 their local communities in Nigeria.