Conceived as the first indigenous and autonomous university in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) commenced with the enchanting and philosophical motto: “To Restore the Dignity of Man.” Its vision is “to create a functional, globally competitive and research focused university which is not just an Ivory Tower but responsive to the needs of the society while delivering world class education and knowledge.” Sixty-four years after, the school has gone through thick and thin in its efforts to achieve its lofty vision and mission.
Just as the first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, predicted, the university rose to become prominent. Modelled after the American educational system, the UNN is one of the topmost varsities of choice in Nigeria. It was founded by Azikiwe, the then Premier of the Eastern Region, in 1955 and opened formally on October 7, 1960, a few days after Nigeria was granted independence from Britain. Princess Alexandra of Kent, who represented Queen Elizabeth II at Nigeria’s independence celebrations, performed the opening ceremonies. At this time, the University College Ibadan was still affiliated to the University of London. It only severed its relationship with the University of London in January 1963, thus becoming the University of Ibadan. The UNN currently has three campuses, Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla, all in Enugu State.
Despite the setback it suffered during the Nigeria/Biafra civil war, the UNN has made giant strides and its products have made waves in the world. Scientists from the university exhibited their expertise during the civil war. The first open heart surgery in Nigeria was recorded at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu in 1974.
The reputation of the school helped to attract students from far and near. Many lecturers from top universities in some parts of the world came on sabbatical to the school.
Academic standard of the school was also very high. At a time when many other universities admitted students with just five credits, including English, the UNN made it compulsory that candidates applying to study in the school, including arts students, must also have at least a credit in a science subject.
In the beginning, the UNN was lucky to have vice-chancellors who were committed to their duties. The first Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor George Marion Johnson (1960-1964), performed excellently and handed over to Professor Glen L. Taggart (1964-1966). Taggart handed over to the first indigenous VC, Professor Eni Njoku (1966-1970) who acquitted himself well. Some of the past vice-chancellors like Professor Frank Ndili (1980-1985), the first Nigerian professor of Nuclear Physics, continued the good job of uplifting the fortunes of the university.
Today, the UNN is going through a number of challenges. Infrastructure-wise, the school has become an eyesore. Some of the buildings in the school, especially hostels, have dilapidated and are no longer habitable. The Zik’s flats, for instance, have long been abandoned and taken over by reptiles and weeds. The population of students now far outnumbers the available infrastructure. Many of these students now live outside the campus and are susceptible to the exploitation of landlords.
Academic standard has also declined, though this is a general malaise in many public universities. One major cause of this problem is the frequent strikes embarked upon by both the academic and non-academic staff unions of these universities.
The downside of the UNN exemplifies the rot in Nigerian public institutions. Clearly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed in its responsibility towards these public universities. It has starved them of adequate funding and hardly bothers about uplifting the infrastructure and other facilities in these schools. This is partly why ASUU is frequently on strike.
We urge the Federal Government to retrace its steps. Education should be given its pride of place in the country. We have the resources, but they are not deployed well to the areas of need. Government should increase budgetary allocation to education and insist that VCs should live up to their responsibilities. It should also look into the infrastructural decay in federal tertiary institutions.
The UNN alumni association used to be very strong. These days, it appears to have slacked in providing the necessary support to the school. It should ignite the fire in the university before and do everything possible to restore its pride. Alumni members should take up projects in the school.
Hitherto, character was of essence not just in the UNN but in many other public universities in Nigeria. Certificates were given to students who were found worthy in character and learning. Today, character appears not to matter much anymore. Authorities of the universities should endeavour to restore this missing element.
These flaws notwithstanding, the UNN is still a university of first choice for millions of Nigerian students. We congratulate the school on attaining this milestone and urge its authorities to keep the flag flying. They should upgrade the infrastructure and learning facilities in the school. It will be more cost-effective to regularly maintain the infrastructure than allowing them to dilapidate. They should look beyond admission and screening fees in generating income and strive hard to meet the mission and vision of the founding fathers of the university.