BRAVO TO MY ALMA-MATER, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

…….Here shall be the University of Nigeria

The above was the statement made by Sir William Hamilton-Fyfe, the leader of the Inter University Council for Higher Education in the Colonies then, when on the mission to inspect the site provided by the Ibadan Native Authority for the proposed University College and ascertain its suitability. On that fateful Saturday, on the 28th December, 1946, Sir Hamilton-Fyfe and his team arrived at the pre-arranged clearing in the thick undergrowth, he stuck his walking stick into the ground and declared Here shall be the University of Nigeria. That famous walking stick known as ‘Sir Fyfe’s walking stick’ is still on display at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. This declaration heralded the series of activities that resulted in the opening of the University College, Ibadan as a college of the University of London in February 1948, thus completing the plans to establish a University in the Niger area of the British territories of West Africa. There was an urgent need to establish centres of higher education in Nigeria in the early twentieth Century. During this period, prominent Nigerian families had begun sending their children to the United Kingdom for University education. In fact, the recognition of this need led to the establishment of the Yaba Medical School and Yaba Higher College in 1930 and 1934 respectively. This made Yaba Higher College which was founded in 1934 to be the first institution of higher learning in Nigeria. However, Yaba Higher College could only award diplomas and its products were mostly employed as assistants to expatriates. Thus, another need to establish a degree awarding institution. The eventual establishment of degree awarding institutions in Nigeria was stimulated by four distinct factors (Raji-Oyelade et al, 2010). The first was the experience of experimental stations linked to research institutions in the United Kingdom which took advantage of the colonial potential. Secondly, the role of university-trained scientists in ending the Second World War. The third factor was the continued agitation of the nationalists, for the establishment of degree-awarding higher institutions in the country as part of their demands for independence as they saw the establishment of these institutions as a pre-requisite for the success of a post-independence Nigeria. The last factor was the pace of progress of the Yaba Higher College towards becoming a full-fledged University which was considered as too slow and inadequate enough to satisfy the intellectual yearnings of the increasingly enlightened middle class. It was too clear at the time that the cadre and number of products of the Yaba College gradually became grossly insufficient to service the needs of the country. The nationalists were joined in this quest by returnee graduates from the UK, several of who had joined politics. All these factors increased the pressure on the colonial government to establish full-fledged universities in the colonies. Two Commissions , the Asquith and Elliot Commissions, set up in 1943 to consider the principles to guide the promotion of higher education in the colonies, eventually recommended the establishment of universities in the colonies. Ibadan, the ancient City, was chosen to house one of such universities to be built in Nigeria. A generous donation of a vast expanse of land by the Ibadan people made Ibadan the first choice location. This led to the establishment of the University of Ibadan in 1948, as the first degree awarding institution in Nigeria. Academic work began on January 18, 1948 with 104 students under the Vice Chancellor (then known as Principal) Dr. Kenneth Mellanby. Then, the University was housed in the buildings of the General Hospital, Jericho, Ibadan. University of Ibadan grew rapidly in response to global and local academic and manpower demands. It had 104 students and three faculties in 1948, today, the University now has 14 Faculties with over 20,000 students running both full-time and part-time programmes. One interesting thing to note is that, University of Ibadan produced almost all the Vice Chancellors of other Universities in Nigeria, this actually made the University a pace setter in all ramifications. The University’s motto is Recte Sapere Fons meaning ‘For learning and Sound Judgement’. This has been the guiding principle for the university. Today, graduates of the university of Ibadan are found in leading positions in every facet of society in all nations of the World. As we celebrate another convocation and founders’ day ceremonies this week (15th-17th November, 2012), all I want to say to my ALMA-MATER is that-…….Continue Towering High. Further Reading Raji-Oyelade, A, Olapade-Olaopa, E.O., Aderinto, A and Obi-Egbedi, N. (2010) The Flagship: Six Decades of Postgraduate Education in Nigeria. Saphire Prints: Ibadan. ……………………………………………………………………………….. Olaniran, Sunday Olawale is a Youth advocate, Social Entrepreneur and Community Change Champion. He can be contacted on +2347033955770, 08054031719 and on BBM – 22666BFB.