The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. John Oladapo
Obafunwa has expressed optimism and determination to eradicate what he
termed the many years of rot in the university, which ranks the first
amongst state universities and 11th amongst all the universities in
Nigeria (National Universities Commission 2013 ranking).
Before now, many a visitor familiar with the university will attest to
the fact that it was plagued by rot in every area. LASU in the last 27
years was a far-cry from what a citadel of learning should be, even
though its Faculty of Law was rated the best in Nigeria and sub-Saharan
Africa but LASU-Law was de-accredited in 2009 by the NUC over poor
standards in academic and infrastructural facilities.
It is against this backdrop that Obafunwa alongside some principal
officers of the university conducted journalists round some of the
facilities to reveal the ongoing academic and infrastructural facelift
in the school. This, he noted was not without the support of the state
government led by Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Donkey years of rot
Prior to November 1, 2011, when Obafunwa was ratified the 7th
Vice-Chancellor by government and the Governing Council, LASU had the
problem of inadequate lecture halls which led to a situation where
students had to stand to receive lectures. The science laboratories
were not spared as kerosene stoves became bunsen burners.
The constant unrest, maiming and killings orchestrated by cultist groups
in the school made LASU a safe haven for cultists. The reckless
disruption of the institution's academic calendar by local chapters of
staff unions like the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff
Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)
was a devastating tide that needed to be stemmed.
And Obafunwa came
Assuming the coveted Vice- Chancellorship position, having been two-time
Provost of the university's College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja,
Obafunwa confessed that the new mandate was no tea party. According to
him, his fears were basically hinged upon the deep rots that have
bedeviled the regular and external systems of the university for so many
years.
These cut across the immeasurable backlogs of results and certificates
of students which even extended to 1999/2000 academic session in both
systems; the deep corruption in the university that had encouraged
embezzlement, misappropriation and misapplication of funds meant to
improve standards of the university; the high number of ghost workers
especially in the external system and poor quality of teaching staff.
On assumption of office, Obafunwa lamented that he had to contend with
the backlog of salary arrears owed the teaching and non-teaching staff,
which might spur them to down their tools at any moment, thereby
disrupting the university's academic calendar.
Deeply bothered by these, the Forensic Pathologist said his
transformation agenda was hinged upon basic laudable infrastructural and
academic blueprints, whilst canvassing the support of government, staff
and students in achieving them all.
In less than two years, LASU is on the verge of priding itself as an
institution which has set the pace of getting its academic potentials
right.
During the tour of facilities, it was confirmed to Vanguard Learning
that the current administration has gotten it right in major areas such
as e-course registration for students; e-transact for students and
staff; e-results/academic profiles for students; quick release of
results; provision of state-of-the-art teaching facilities across the
departments of the school; re-accreditation of de-accredited courses;
putting in place laudable infrastructural projects and in all, a stable
academic calendar for two sessions running.
Academic facelift
The administration launched a "novelty" e-registration system for
students to register their semester courses without hitches. Also,
through this giant move, the era where students had to form long queues
to collect registration pins has been eradicated. We launched an
e-payment model for tuition fees which received encomiums from students
and staff as it has been declared efficient and easy.
"Lecturers are now more responsible with the marking of examination
scripts, double-checking of marked scripts, uploading and corrections,
unlike in the past when malfeasance was the order of the day. Presently,
the current result-uploading system known as DPU doesn't allow the
alteration of grades after the about two weeks of grace given for
marking and uploading of results after every semester examination.
We are glad that students can now regularly check their up-to-date
academic profiles electronically through the DPU novelty. Sixteen of the
17 major courses which the university was earlier denied accreditation
by NUC have been re-accredited.
"From November 2011 till date, for the first time in many years, LASU
has gone through five academic semesters, produced two graduating sets,
without disruption by warring staff unions or other internal crises.
It's also on record that this administration completed the university's
new auditorium which was made ready for use at the 17th convocation
ceremonies of the university.
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