Get Guardian on GoogleFormer Vice-Chancellors of Lagos State University (LASU) and Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professors Olanrewaju Fagbohun and Labode Popoola, have called for stronger institutional regulations, accountability and discipline to address the challenges undermining the administration of Nigerian universities.
Professors Fagbohun and Popoola identified corruption, indiscipline, undue leadership interference and weak institutional accountability as major obstacles to effective university governance.
The former vice-chancellors spoke at the public presentation of Popoola’s book, “Navigating Stormy Waters: My Voyage Through UNIOSUN, held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Saturday.
Delivering the keynote address, Fagbohun warned that political and other forms of interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors could undermine the quality of university leadership and weaken institutional governance.
He urged stakeholders to respect established appointment procedures and ensure that the process was guided by appropriate checks and balances.
“If there is so much interference in the appointment of a vice-chancellor, you are likely to throw up a vice-chancellor that does not have what it takes to be a vice-chancellor, and it can mess up the system,” he said.
Fagbohun also expressed concern over what he described as the misuse of unionism and staff and students’ unions by some groups to resist institutional regulations and undermine the authority of university management.
He, however, clarified that the situation did not apply to all universities.
While acknowledging inadequate funding as a major challenge facing Nigerian universities, the former LASU vice-chancellor argued that several operational problems could be addressed if all stakeholders fulfilled their responsibilities.
He said government, university management, staff and students must play their respective roles in strengthening the institutions.
Fagbohun also disagreed with the perception that Nigerian university programmes were fundamentally deficient, noting that the National Universities Commission had reviewed academic programmes with contributions from the private sector to incorporate industry requirements and practical skills.
He called for stricter enforcement of students’ attendance requirements and improved working conditions for lecturers.
In his remarks, Popoola recounted the challenges he faced when he assumed office as UNIOSUN vice-chancellor, saying he inherited a system characterised by corruption, indiscipline and a lack of integrity.
He said efforts to introduce reforms exposed him to threats, blackmail and petitions alleging financial misconduct, which he denied.
Popoola maintained that he neither solicited nor received bribes during his tenure, adding that his final three years in office focused largely on infrastructure development and repositioning the institution.
He attributed the progress recorded during his administration to reforms, teamwork and the support of the university’s visitor and governing council.
The former UNIOSUN vice-chancellor said the governance challenges confronting Nigerian universities extended beyond the institution, urging university administrators to confront entrenched interests and remain committed to institutional reforms.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, described the book as an illuminating account and a significant contribution to scholarship.
The event was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olapegba; the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State for the 2026 election, Bola Oyebamiji; serving and former vice-chancellors, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
