A former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola, has called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s university system, insisting that Vice-Chancellors must be selected not only for academic titles but also for their capacity to attract funds and mobilise resources.
Abimbola, a scholar of Ifa and former Presidential Adviser on Culture, stated this while featuring on Boiling Point Arena, an online interview discourse hosted by media professional and public relations strategist, Dr. Ayo Arowojolu.
Drawing from his teaching experience in 10 American universities, including Harvard and Boston University, Abimbola said several institutions abroad appoint Vice-Chancellors — often referred to as “Presidents” — who are not necessarily professors, but individuals with proven fund-raising ability and strong industry and government connections.
He recalled:“when I was at Harvard and also at Boston University, the President of the University was retiring, and the person appointed to replace him had only a Bachelor of Arts degree.
“I was wondering, how come somebody who doesn’t even have a Master’s degree becomes the President of the University?
“The truth is that in America, they put much premium on who can reach out for the university, who can raise funds, who is well connected with governments and industry, and who can really help the university.”
The former OAU helmsman lamented that Nigeria’s universities are on the brink of collapse due to chronic underfunding, stressing that Vice-Chancellors must take proactive steps to generate financial support rather than relying solely on government allocations.
According to him, alumni engagement remains one of the strongest yet untapped opportunities for Nigerian universities.
“The biggest asset of any university are the people they have graduated. Such people will contribute money since it is expected that the institution must have done something wonderful for them while they were there,” he noted.
Abimbola further decried the culture of philanthropy in Nigeria, saying wealthy individuals often neglect their responsibility to give back to institutions and society at large.“
It seems that it is not part of our culture in Nigeria to encourage people to help the society and our institutions. The society must act like the parents of the institutions, because an institution in that regard is like a child. Every child needs to be fostered.
In America and Europe, the university is like a baby of the society. But in Nigeria, people who have lots of money don’t really think it is their responsibility to give back,” he lamented.
He urged the Federal Government to urgently establish a Commission of Inquiry to recommend radical reforms that would reposition universities for financial sustainability and global competitiveness.
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