Varsities: How indigeneship, ethnicity, others, frustrate appointment of VCs
The appointment of vice chancellors in Nigerian universities is always full of intrigues. By Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, otherwise called Universities Autonomy Act No. In the last few years, some universities have had their share of controversy in the appointment of vice chancellors. The University of Ibadan (UI) last year equally experienced its own upheavals in the process of appointing a new VC; it took the intervention of education minister, Adamu Adamu to resolve the impasse and for the selection process earlier suspended to continue. The selection process was characterised by intrigues, accusations and counter-accusations, which peaked with protests from staff unions. A similar scenario played out in Lagos State University (LASU), forcing the Visitor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on two occasions, to reject recommendations of the Governing Council. The appointment of Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State (FUOYE) followed the same pattern.
Speaking on appointment of VCs and issues around their emergence, Prof. “The malaise of the larger Nigerian society called ‘son-of-the soil’ syndrome has finally taken hold in academia. According to her, the vice chancellor of a university is expected to possess both high academic and sterling personal qualities to function effectively as both the academic and administrative head of learning and research-based institutions. She said whereas the Chancellor or Pro-chancellor could be a political appointee, the appointment of VC is often subjected to a rigorous process to ensure that the best candidate emerges. Odiadi noted that the vice chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the university and heads academic and administrative departments. “There is nothing in the foregoing that these skills are the exclusive preserve of a race, creed, gender or tribe. “The current happenings playing out are as a result of long years of mistrust of the process, underhand measures in the appointment of VCs, lack of transparency and non-conformity with due process in the appointment of vice chancellors.
On his part, education consultant, Julius Opara, lamented that indigeneship and ethnic sentiments have caused a lot in the country, and more painfully, in the education sector. Opara noted that there are administrators who are of impeccable character, with high integrity, experience and astute collegial disposition across the country who can be requested to occupy the position of the vice chancellor, but cautioned that such should be solely based on the recognition of the good works they had done. “If such a person happens to be an indigene, no problem as long as we are putting a round peg in a round hole. “Apart from the individual being a noted academic, who has over the years gained a strong administrative acumen, a vice chancellor needs to possess five leadership qualities as proposed by Dr. But a registrar at Kashmir University, Lagos, said a vice chancellor is one who should possess leadership in vision, integrity, excellence, accountability, transparency, autonomy and teamwork.
Read full article at Guardian Nigeria
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