Education has been identified as the most effective investment any country could make for the quick development of its economic, political, social and human resources.
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This was the submission of Professor Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, while delivering a lecture titled: “The Nigerian University, Public Good and Community Development: An Examination of the Intersections,” during the occasion of the 2023 Distinguished Role Model Awards of The Wings Schools, Iwo, Osun State.

While describing education as the greatest force that can bring about change in a positive direction, the Don added that, “education, as it used here, goes beyond the theoretical and literary aspects. It encapsulates all forms of training, vocational and entrepreneurial, formal and informal. Its origin is not restricted to the West because there has been education in the East for as long as the West if not longer.”

He noted that in Nigeria, the university is specifically expected to contribute to the production of high-level manpower in diverse professions as directed by national development requirements.

“Also, university education in Nigeria is expected to focus on the inculcation of community spirit in the students through projects and action research. The concept of public good is broad and it doesn’t lend itself to a universal definition. For example, from an Aristotelian perspective, it is every act targeted at realising or promoting public interest, while Bentham and the utilitarian school will see public good or interest as the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens.

“In economics, public good is viewed from the angle of commodification. It is said to be a commodity or service that is made available to all members of a society who have the means of purchase,” he said.

Prof. Yagboyaju disclosed that in Nigeria, community development has been described as part of the commitment to the reduction of inequality, as well as changing social conditions as a pre-condition for individual change.

He added that key themes in Nigeria’s model of community development are social justice, democracy, and the redistribution of power resources, and decision-making.
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“It is important to note that material acquisition and physical infrastructure are elements of economic growth, which is an aspect of development. Apart from the physical and tangible, development emphasises intangible factors such as security of life and livelihood, access to affordable education and health services among other important items.

These feature prominently in the United Nations (UN) annual Human Development Index (HDI) and in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) among prominent international agencies with focus on development agenda.

“Nigeria is blessed with Community Development Associations (CDAs) in very large numbers, such that hardly is there any place in the country without the existence of CDAs. For example, in Iwo, I know about the activities of Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT) and Ola Oluwa Community, both of which involve Professor Olurode and his teams,” he said.

The Don, who lamented that times have changed and the situation is no longer the same, as things have fallen apart, said the terrible situation within the context of the decline of the public good and dwindling commitment to community development have been traced to several factors.

Said he: “The most common factors that have been advanced are lack of appropriate funding in the university system, making it difficult for the universities to recruit and above all to retain quality staff for learning and research, as well as the country’s prolonged encounter with military rule. A more complex narrative relates to the corruption of Nigerian society in general, which has created a mentality of looting and wanton exploitation (abuse of privilege or taking of advantage) in whatever situation people found themselves.
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“To a certain extent, the university system joined the rat race, it lost sight of the essence of its existence-students, teaching and research, all of which are supposed to be pursued for public good and the advancement of the community. It is no news that there are lecturers who harass female students sexually. For example, in 2022, four professors and 14 others were dismissed in cases of harassment in Nigerian universities.

“There were probably more in 2021, the year a second-generation university in Ile Ife became notorious for the number of professors involved in matters of sexual harassment. While in Nigeria, the common thing is female students’ harassment, there are cases of male students’ harassed by female teachers in other parts of the developed world.

“Other areas of malfeasance in the Nigerian university system include the commodification of academic activities by way of sale of handouts, sorting and offering of good grades in exchange for money, among others.

“Our newly pronounced professors have roles to play as parts of the university system that must advance community development. They have distinguished themselves by way of academic attainments and in character. I have a few tips to share in the context of the joint commitment of the university and the community for development.

“We must make efforts for self-improvement, but we can’t afford inordinate ambitions. For example, not all professors can or will become Dean, Director or Vice Chancellor! Not all former VCs will become ministers or INEC chairmen. We can aspire without being desperate. Being fabulously wealthy is a rare occurrence for professors. We should not toe a line that can truncate our career. Our families and communities need us.”

Prof Yagboyaju, submitted that the Nigerian university system is part of community development in the country, in view of the pursuit of public good and excellence by professors and other categories of academic staff.

“Examples of what is possible in positive terms have drawn from Ijebu Ode and Iwo. May the soul of Professor Mabogunje rest in peace and may Allah elongate the life of Professor Olurode for good. This function has been performed abysmally since the 1990s when decline became very evident in the system. This must be re-established at least for the enlightened self-interest of newly promoted professors who are likely to be around for some time to come. God bless Nigeria and its good people.”
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