Can Unilag new VC make it?

Can Unilag new VC make it?.
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00 Nigerian Compass .Share 0University of Lagos, one of the prestigious and highly competitive universities in Nigeria has got a new Vice Chancellor. That may not surprise many because change is the only constant thing in the world. Nonetheless, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, the former Vice chancellor would be missed because he was an amiable, accessible and affable leader. A sort of a man of the people.

Unilag had a facelift during his stewardship. Outstanding, remarkable and landmark achievements echoed through the four-walls of the 48-year-old institution as they were etched in gold. Staff-academic and non-academic alike-unanimously agreed he was a man of his words; he paid salaries 25th of every month. Students were not left out. They benefited from the largesse of this man. He was able to set in motion the machinery for the restoration of unionism before age caught up with him. Apart from his widely criticised support for the FG in the twilight of his tenure during the three-months grinding ASUU strike which pitched him against his staff, Odugbemi appeared to have vigorously and vociferously imparted on the lives of people in the Unilag academia. Many still have soft spot for him despite his foible that they wish he could continue.


But change must take its due course. The story must change. There is a new man. I mean, an old new man. He is a veteran in the university. Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe is not new in the system. He has acted in various capacities in the university. During the administration of the late Prof. Jelili Omotola, he served as the Dean of Faculty of Science. Under Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, he functioned as the Director of Academic Planning and under Prof. Tolu Odugbemi; he was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management and services). He had worked assiduously to rise steadily through the ranks to earn the position of the Vice Chancellor. So, one can conclude the office is well deserved. No other academic can know Unilag better than Sofoluwe. He will surely have no problem traversing this familiar terrain.


However, there are important questions people seem to be asking: Can he match the sterling performance of his predecessor? Is he loaded enough to deliver? Can he exceed expectation and set the Thames on fire? Sofoluwe will leave no one in doubt of his ability. Yes, Mr. VC has spoken: ‘I shall ensure Unilag by the midterm of my vice chancellorship is ranked amongst the first 100 universities in the world’. Brilliant. Isn’t it? But is this not rather a tall order?
Presently, no Nigerian university is rated among the one to 500 in the world. (I stand to be corrected). Sadly and surprisingly, no Nigerian university is among the first 50 in Africa. The reason is clear and obvious. Government lackadaisical attitude to education is a major factor for the deepening malaise of our education system. That is why the dilapidated ageing structures, poor power supply (not all universities), inadequate learning tools all remind us of our educational cancerous disease.


So how will Sofoluwe accomplish this lofty and incredible goal seeing he has a Kilimanjaro of an obstacle to confront? I am not a Thomas but my concern is definitely genuine. Oh, he even said the deadline for the realisation of this goal is ‘mid-term of my vice-chancellorship’. That’s in two years and six months time. Wonderful!
If Mr. Vice Chancellor had said the first in Africa (sounds a little degrading for a first class school like Unilag) he would have gained credibility. But to say he would launch Unilag to the moon in a jiffy beats my imagination. Rome was not built in a day!


As a concerned Nigerian student, I want to suggest to Sofoluwe to concentrate on the task at hand and stop sycophants and lackeys from distracting him with irrelevances including media publicity and propaganda. He should continue from where Odugbemi stopped. Let the aggressive crusade against cultism, violence and other academic vices continue (now that student associations are on).Let the welfare of students and staff take priority in policies and programmes. Let the facilities and equipment which make learning easy and stress-free be the major focus in senate discussions and deliberations. Having perused his vision for the university, I have no doubt he is the best man for the job. His knowledge and experience as a computer scientist will be most effective in transforming the university to a top class institution.


There are basic pressing issues that students would like him to face. The yearly hassle and tussle over accommodation should be given a lasting solution without any outrageous financial implication. More hostels, less banks and commercial structures which portray the school as a commercial venture. Transportation should be facilitated with more buses to convey students as they shuttle from hostels to lecture theatres.Enough of epilieptic power supply! For how long will students put up with erratic power supply especially at crucial moments like examination time?
By Folarin Samson
Samson ,Mass Communication, Unilag. 08030572852.