A Professor of Industrial Sociology and Industrial Relations, Prof Nkemdili Nnonyelu has blamed what he termed culture of sycophancy in universities in Nigeria on imperial power of Vice Chancellors of the institutions.
He argued that Vice Chancellors with such powers but lacked virtues of humility and moderation could destroy the system.
Nonyelum, from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology spoke at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University while delivering the 98th Inuguaral lecture themed, “From Classroom Teachers and Researchers, To Union Activists: The Predicament of Academics in Nigeria Public Universities.”
He however noted that UNIZIK was privileged to have a mature and reasonable Vice Chancellor with a listening ear and humble disposition devoid of despotic orientation.
He said, “The culture of sycophancy has permeated the university system because of the imperial power of the VC. The Governing Council is like an extension of the VC position.
“So if the Vice Chancellor is not mature, humble, moderate and measured in his responses, he can destroy the system.
“A good Union within the university system should be able to stand as safeguard for the interest of the teeming lecturers in the system.
“We’re lucky here in UNIZIK because we have a listening, reasonable and more mature VC different from what we’ve had in the past in terms of despotic tendency orientation.”
Underscoring the place of autonomy of Nigerian universities, the inuguaral lecturer insisted that universities should be insulated from government interference in order to enjoy academic freedom.
He added, “Autonomy of the university is sacrosanct. As constituted, the university should be insulated from government interference. It should enjoy academic freedom in terms of content, curriculum and syllabus.
“The university should not be under the overbearing of the Ministry of Education or any other authority. They should be allowed to develop their own programmes.
“Professors should be allowed to teach what they want to teach and not to be given benchmark, all in the name of uniformity of standard. That’s wrong.
“Intellectuals should be allowed to blossom, flourished and blossom. It’s a major struggle. That’s why university is called “mahadum” in Igbo language
“The National Universities Commission (NUC) affects this autonomy to a very large extent. The whole system should be adjusted and reviewed especially in terms of the powers the Commission weilds.
“The accreditation system is a ruise. What’s it doing for us? Even though they point to global standard, but we know the reality on ground.”
Nnonyelu further regretted the number of academic years lost by Nigeria Universities to industrial actions, attributing it to obstinacy and irresponsibility of successive governments.
“If you calculate the months we’ve lost from 1992 to 2023, it’s more than seven good years; all because of obstinacy, irresponsibility and recklessness of successive governments
“Instead of honouring agreements you willingly reached and signed with ASUU without compulsion, you rather reneged. The way out remains respect for agreement and institutionalised collective bargaining,” he added.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone said inuguaral lecture offered Professors opportunity to present their experiences which could come in different forms.
Describing the lecture as exciting and stimulating, Esimone, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Prof Joseph Ikechebelu said Nnonyelu presented a journey in his struggle with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which culminated in part of what the university was enjoying.
