The Idea of a Nigerian University: a Revisit
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Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change Series II, Africa, Volume 16 General Editor George F. McLean The Idea of a Nigerian University: A Revisit Nigerian Philosophical Studies, III Edited by Olatunji Oyeshile Joseph Kenny The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Copyright © 2013 by The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Box 261 Cardinal Station Washington, D.C. 20064 All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication The idea of a Nigerian university : a revisit / edited by Olatunji Oyeshile, Joseph Kenny. pages cm. -- (Cultural heritage and contemporary change. Series II, Africa, ; volume 16) (Nigerian philosophical studies ; 3) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Education, Higher--Nigeria. I. Oyeshile, Olatunji A., editor of compilation. II. Kenny, Joseph, editor of compilation. LA1633.I332012+ 2012035042 378.669--dc23 CIP ISBN 978-1-56518-277-6 (pbk.) TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Part I. Foundational Issues Chapter I: The Idea of a University: The Past, Present and Future, Whither Nigeria? 7 Francis Isichei Chapter II: The Role of Philosophy in the Making of a Veritable African University 27 J. Obi Oguejiofor Chapter III: Idea, Ideal, Ideology: Past, Present and Future Social Responsibilities of the University 35 Kowale A. Olu-Owolabi Chapter IV: Academic Standards in Nigerian Public and Private Universities 55 Joseph Ekong Chapter V: Philosophy, Bridging the Arts and Sciences 69 Joseph Kenny Part II. Historical and Political Factors Chapter VI: Knowledge, Power and the State of University Education 81 Anthony Akinwale Chapter VII: University Autonomy and Constraints therein 91 Ṣegun Odunuga Chapter VIII: The Myths and Realities of the Crisis of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria 101 Francis Egbokhare Chapter IX: The Internet as Communication Strategy between Universities and the Public 109 Olusola O. Oyewo & Moshood Olawale Chapter X: Islam and University Education in Contemporary Nigeria 117 Afis Oladosu Part III. The Moral Dimension Chapter XI: Declining Moral Consciousness in Nigerian Universities: A Philosopher’s Search for Redemption 131 Jude Mbukanma Chapter XII: Morality in Nigerian Public and Private Universities 137 Olatunji Oyeshile Chapter XIII: Sexual Harassment and the Violation of Academic Freedom 149 Chinyere Ukpokolo Part IV. National Development Chapter XIV: The Scholar’s Identity and Knowledge Production in Nigerian Universities 173 Ike Odimegwu and Christy Odimegwu Chapter XV: Developmental University and the Question of National Development 183 Adebola Babatunde Ekanola Chapter XVI: The Role of a University in Nigerian Economic Development 195 Emmanuel N.Ogu Chapter XVII: The Role of Private Universities in Transformational Development in Nigeria 203 Mary Bosco Ebere Amakwe Contributors 220 Index 221 INTRODUCTION Almost a decade ago, specifically in January 2002, scholars within the University of Ibadan held a seminar with Professor George Mclean, founder of the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (RVP), Washington D.C., which eventually appeared as The Idea of an African University: The Nigerian Experience (Washington D.C.: RVP, 2007). Much has happened since on the Nigerian university scene, most notably the foundation of many more universities, the majority of them private. This, and many other factors, convinced a group of scholars of the need to go back to the drawing board: What is expected of a university in Nigeria today? Which problems are entailed by this expectation, and how do we move forward? Accordingly, the Dempsey Centre, Dominican Institute, Ibadan, with the RVP sponsored a Seminar: “The Idea of a Nigerian University: A Revisit” the Dominican Institute President, Professor Anthony Akinwale, delivered a welcome address. He was followed by Professor Edward Alam who briefly introduced the work of RVP and Dr. Francis Isichei who delivered the keynote paper, “The Idea of a University, Past, Present and Future: Whither Nigeria?” The following is an overview of the seventeen papers which appear in this volume. Part I: Foundational Issues Francis Isichei (chapter 1) begins with a survey of the two classical models that have dominated university orientation for two centuries: the Humboldt model, emphasizing research and its communication to students, and the Newman model, emphasizing a liberal exposure to the universe of knowledge. He tells of the reshuffling these models went through, particularly at the University of Chicago, before they were exported to Nigeria. He touches on the decline of standards in universities, the reasons for this, and moves to remedy the situation. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor (chapter 2) then tackles the central problem of this book, how to structure a university in Africa, and Nigeria in particular. He examines the university system brought by the British, and finds that, like the economy, it was aimed principally at British, not Nigerian development. It also alienated students from their own traditions and identity. Kolawole Owolabi (chapter 3) continues where Oguejiofor left off, facing squarely the issue of universality or parochiality of a university, whether in content or personnel. He rejects both the Europe orientated model exported to Africa and the neo-Afro model, which wishes to purge everything European. With the same option for universality, he rejects the exclusive choice between liberal and technical education. The two should go together, and address the aspirations of their host communities. 2 Introduction Joseph Ekong (chapter 4) assesses the current discussion on standards and, with reference to Newman’s stress on a liberal exposure to universal knowledge, shows that a chief reason for their decline is the isolation of academic research. Researchers in different disciplines do not make a community, and have no communication with one another. That is the problem which Oyewo and Olawale (chapter 9) address in part, under the aspect of the Internet, and its indispensible role in today’s university. Joseph Kenny (chapter 5), facing the problem of overlap, uses Aristotle to argue that the designing of a university is a task of wisdom, belonging properly to the metaphysician. In the light of this, he proposes a general blueprint for the structure of a university today. Part II: Historical and Political Factors Anthony Akinwale (chapter 6) makes an in-depth examination of the conflict between raw power and reason. He argues that central government regulation, instead of enhancing standards, is stifling initiative and the blossoming of academic life. Ṣegun Odunuga (chapter 7) continues the problem of autonomy, showing how it has eroded over the years, and what must be done to restore it. Francis Egbokhare (chapter 8) takes up the grave shortfall of supply versus demand for quality university education in Nigeria. He traces the response to this demand to the foundation of new universities, especially private ones, and their extension by distance learning. At the same time, he shows the problems this educational explosion faces, and recommends solutions. Oyewo and Olawale (chapter 9), as mentioned above, discuss the use of Internet, as a partial solution to the problems Egbokhare raises. Afis Oladosu (chapter 10) surveys Islamic education, calling attention particularly to the informal sector, whereby students sought not an institution, but a noteworthy teacher. Part III: The Moral Dimension Jude Mbukanma (chapter 11) makes use of the Greek tradition to argue for moral education, consisting in formal courses, but more importantly in the attitude and example of the lecturers. Olatunji Oyeshile (chapter 12) examines the same issue, focusing on the situation of Nigerian universities, where a moral crisis is rampant at every level: students, lecturers and administrators. He likewise asks who should be responsible for moral education, observing that no one in the university is totally exempt from this responsibility. Chinyere Ukpokolo (chapter 13) examines the particular problem of sexual harassment, which constitutes a major manifestation of the moral crisis. Introduction 3 Part IV. National Development Ike & Christy Odimegwu (chapter 14) take up the problem scholars face of reconciling their academic vocation with the call to business or public service. To solve the compromised identity of many scholars, they propose a harmonious interflow between research, interdisciplinary cooperation, teaching, and practical application. Adebola Ekanola (chapter 15) addresses the proposal of a “developmental university” as the solution to national development. He rejects it, arguing rather in favor of the traditional role of a university as conducting research and teaching in a moral context. Emmanuel Ogu (chapter 16) argues for the necessity for universities to produce graduates who are capable of surviving economically. Mary Bosco E. Amakwe (chapter 17) continues this theme, integrating it with the need for a sound intellectual and moral formation. Professor Olusegun Oladipo (1957-2009) Readers familiar with our first volume, The Idea of an African University, The Nigerian Experience, will notice that six of the authors who appeared in that volume reappear in this one. There is one gap we very much regret. That is Professor Olusegun Oladipo, who presented the lead paper of the first volume. May he rest in peace. Olatunji Oyeshile Joseph Kenny PART I FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES CHAPTER I THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: WHITHER NIGERIA? FRANCIS M. ISICHEI