Power tussle, personal interest as UNILAG’s bane

Unilag gate

One of Nigeria’s best universities, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is grappling with crippling issues that border on the ridiculous rather than the sublime.

From the largest city in West Africa – Ibadan – Dr. Wale Babalakin came to UNILAG in 1978 as a young man aspiring to reach the zenith. Little wonder his rousing speech at the 2016/2017 convocation of the University of Lagos smacked of passion, excellence, and glory for Nigeria’s education that has been in the doldrums. To Babalakin, there is no limit to the capacity of an aspiring genius.

“You constitute a part of the elite of the society,” said Babalakin to the graduands, “and I urge you to be guiding lights of the policies of the elite.”

Then, he added, “No society thrives unless the elite jealously guards the values of the society, protect it and propagate it. Your education is not meant for you to simply earn a living. Your education is for you to contribute to redeveloping society. You must challenge yourself to leave every place better than you met it.”

Having left the university with his shoulders high as a student in 1981, Babalakin, in every sense, was the right person to speak with the graduands. “I have come back (to UNILAG) as a member of the administration and it is my determination along with the council members to make it better than what we met.”

As the pro-chancellor of the university, tongues are wagging about Babalakin’s alleged gung-ho style of administration. Some of his critics claimed he is out to destroy the university system. Babalakin and his ardent supporters think he is working hard to open a new vista in the institution.

“Attitude is your determination to succeed. From all the data I have assembled, the preponderance of great people is those who have an attitude, not necessarily aptitude. It becomes a double whammy if you can combine both. But you should never feel handicapped because you don’t have aptitude if you have an attitude,” he had said during the 2016/2017 convocation.

Fast forward to 2020. No longer at ease, things seem to be falling apart in UNILAG.