UNIJOS’ New Vice Chancellor Expresses Worry over Decline in Quality of Research

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The new Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, has promised to promote quality research, teaching and learning in the institution, noting that he was worried at the level of decline in research in Nigerian universities.
Ishaya, a Professor of Computer Science noted this in Jos, shortly after he was inaugurated as the 10th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.

He was appointed the Vice Chancellor by the 14th Governing Council of the university.
He promised that his tenure as UNIJOS Vice Chancellor would witness a change in the trend, pledging to explore every available avenue and put modalities on ground to ensure improvement in teaching, research and learning in the institution.

The VC said, “The quality of research and the graduates our universities churn out today has drastically declined. So, we shall prioritise quality research and enhance teaching and learning for a better society. Sadly, the decline in quality of teaching and learning in our universities is forcing Nigerians to move to neighbouring countries as better options. We will do our best to place the university on a good footing so it can address both local and global challenges.”

He also promised to ensure a better welfare package for staff of the university, decrying the poor welfare package of university workers, particularly the academic staff in the country, promising to vigorously pursue innovative ways of generating funds for the university in order to meet the welfare needs of its staff.

“As an academic staff of a university outside this country, my pay usually takes me home, but being one in Nigeria, my pay rarely takes me home. So, we will do our very best to ensure the welfare of our workers are adequately catered for,” he promised.

The VC also promised to address the shortage of hostel accommodation for students and other challenges faced by students of the university, noting that, “We have over 45,000 undergraduate students and out of these, we are providing accommodation for just about 5,000 of them. This means that majority of our students live in the neighbouring communities. So, we will make efforts to address the huge accommodation deficit for our students so that they can be secured at all times.”

He also promised to lead with the fear of God and called on those who contested the position with him to join hands with him to move the institution forward.

Earlier, the immediate acting VC of the university, Prof. Gray Ejikeme advised Ishaya to run an all-inclusive government.

“You must be a fair leader, you must run an all-inclusive government. You must manage our diversity and carry everybody along, devoid of tribe or religious affiliations.”

Meanwhile, the Pro-chancellor of the university, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has congratulated Ishaya and urged him to live above board.

Jega, who was represented by Prof Anthony Okpe, also advised Ishaya to make efforts towards taking the university to a greater height.