STUDENT MATTERS
This is the FOURTH EDITION of the account of stewardship of Professor Idowu Olayinka who recently completed his five-year term as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the University Nigeria on the 1st of December, 2020. In this volume is documented the achievements of his administration in the areas of STUDENT MATTERS. Publishing these feats, as said in the previous editions means inviting everyone to not only note the achievements but to also attempt to confirm the veracity of the claims of Idowu Olayinka, learn from his actions and place commendations when impressed (and criticisms when not). We wish you a good time with Olayinka’s exploits below:
STUDENT MATTERS
The following number of students have been admitted into our various academic programmes between 2015 and 2019:
2015/2016 Session – 4006 (1860 females, 2164 males: 1842 in Arts based programmes and 2164 in Science based programmes)
2016/2017 Session – 3536 (1816 females, 1720 males: 1268 in Arts-based disciplines and 2268 in Science-based disciplines)
2017/2018 Session – 3730 (1727 females, 2003 males: in Arts-based disciplines and in Science-based disciplines)
2018/2019 Session – 3997 (1838 females, 2159 males: 1741in Arts-based disciplines and 2236 in Science-based disciplines)
Below is the data for Postgraduate admission:
SESSION
SCIENCES
HUMANITIES
TOTAL
MALE
FEMALE
MALE
FEMALE
2014/2015
4223
2901
7811
5798
20733
2015/2016
2971
2106
2439
2159
9675
2016/2017
3013
2290
2533
2532
10368
2017/2018
4515
3239
3887
3638
15279
TOTAL
14722
10536
16670
14127
56055
Below is the data in respect of graduation for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 session. Data for 2017/2018 is being collated:
2015/2016 ACADEMIC SESSION
No of graduands – 5,629
No of graduands with First Class – 186
Table 1: Breakdown of Graduands with First Class by Faculty/Affiliated Institutions/DLC
S/N
Programme
No
1.
Arts
16
2.
Science
25
3.
Clinical Sciences (Nursing)
6
4.
Basic Medical Sciences
1
5.
Public Health
—
6.
Agriculture and Forestry
29
7.
Social Sciences
10
8.
Education
8
9.
Veterinary Medicine
–
10.
Technology
28
11.
Law
11
12.
Pharmacy
–
13.
Distance Learning Centre
9
14.
Affiliated Institutions
43
Total
186
2016/2017 ACADEMIC SESSION
No of graduands – 9,661
No of graduands with First Class – 189
Table 2: Breakdown of Graduands with First Class by Faculty/Affiliated institutions/DLC
S/N
Programme
No
1.
Arts
19
2.
Science
37
3.
Clinical Sciences (Nursing)
1
4.
Basic Medical Sciences
1
5.
Public Health
2
6.
Agriculture and Forestry
8
7.
Social Sciences
1
8.
Education
7
9.
Veterinary Medicine
–
10.
Technology
37
11.
Law
21
12.
Pharmacy
–
13.
Distance Learning Centre
22
14.
Affiliated Institutions
33
Total
189
The quality of undergraduate students admitted into the University of Ibadan has increased considerably over the last 15 years with the introduction of Post-UTME screening of the admission seekers. Through a continuous strengthening of the screening process, the proportion of students advised to withdraw from the University after their first year of registration has dropped from about 12% to as low as less than 2%, with the notable exception of those admitted during the 2016/2017 session during which there was no Post-UTME screening following a policy shift by the then leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. The withdrawal rate for that session was very high at 11% (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Comparison of the withdrawal rate at the 100 level for 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic sessions
It has been shown that for admission into the Innovative Enterprises Institution, the minimum level of performance was 22.5% at the UTME in 2019. This has been increased to 25% for the 2020 admission exercise. The minimum level of performance for the other institutions are as indicated in Figure 3 .
Figure 3 : Minimum UTME Score required for admission into various higher educational institutions in 2019 (Source: JAMB)
The best performers in this respect are the Group of 5 Universities for which the minimum level of performance has historically being 50% which translates to 200 marks out of the maximum of 400. In this elite group are the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Benin.
In Figure 4, it can be observed that the University of Ilorin had the largest number of applicants for the 2019 admission exercise, with 108,912 candidates. The University of Ibadan came 7th with 63,378 applicants. The figures for the other top 10 universities are as indicated.
Figure 4: Number of First Choice Applications into various Universities in 2019
The University of Ibadan does not feature among the top 10 universities in terms of the total number of UTME candidates admitted for the 2019 exercise. As shown in Figure 5, we admitted only 4,122 candidates which is very small in comparison to a total of 12,523 for the University of Ilorin (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Number of UTME candidates admitted by the Top 10 Universities (The figure for University of Ibadan shown for comparison).
However, when we interrogate the competitiveness of the admission into these Nigerian Universities, Ibadan is clearly at the number 1 spot. As shown in Figure 6, only 6.5% of the UTME candidates who chose the University of Ibadan in 2019 was admitted. This represents 1 out of every 15 candidates. In comparison, for the University of Ilorin which placed second, it is 10.7%, representing 1 out of every 9 candidates. The corresponding values for the others are University of Nigeria 11.1% (1 out of every 9), the University of Lagos 12.88% (1 out of every 8), the University of Benin 14.9% (1 out of every 7) and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka 15.8% (1 out of every 6), respectively.
It is a deliberate policy of the University of Ibadan to be a research/postgraduate university and to that extent the undergraduate admission cohort is usually relatively small, in spite of the pressure from admission seekers. Small is beautiful in this respect as it translates to manageable Staff: Student ratio, and in the final analysis improvement in the quality.
If it is from Ibadan, it must be of outstanding quality.
Figure 6: The degree of competitiveness of UTME admission in selected Universities in 2019
Moreover, there has been a significant increase in the number of students who graduate with First Class Honours at the end of their undergraduate studies over the past 20 years. The figure has risen from less than 50 in year 2000 to 106 in 2011 to an all-time high of 214 in 2019.
Figure 7: Number of First Class graduates at the University of Ibadan, 2000-2019
UI produced 26 First Class Graduates at the Law School Final Bar Examinations for 2019, out of a small cohort of 150. (See https://thenigerialawyer.com/just-in-nigerian-law-school-releases-august-2019-bar-finals-result-as-147-students-bag-first-class-894-fail/).
I celebrated this achievement on my Facebook page on 6th November 2019 in the following words:
We have never had it so good. Congratulations Dean Olatunbosun, Professor Yemisi Bamgbose SAN, Professor Simisola Akintola and all the Lecturers that produced these lawyers. We thank you for your efforts and hard work. We congratulate all the ex-students and their parents. Achievement is like gold.
This is what you expect when you have a very rigorous and transparent admission process and outstanding Faculty complemented with excellent facilities.
We have never been so pleased. If it is from Ibadan it must as of necessity be of outstanding quality.
Congratulations all.
Our Law graduates similarly put up a superlative performance at the Final Bar Examinations of the Nigerian Law School released on 4th July 2020, with three of them graduating in the First Class category out of the five First Class candidates in that cohort. All the other UI graduates who sat for the Final Bar Examinations equally did very well and we are ever proud of them as worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.
Bumper harvest as Ibadan Graduates shone brilliantly at the Nigerian Law School, winning 28 out of the total 38 prizes
The University of Ibadan community is highly pleased with the outstanding performance of her law graduates who won 28 out of the 38 prizes at the Bar Final Examinations January 2020 as approved by the Council of Legal Education, Bwari, Abuja. The information was published by the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, on Tuesday, 15th September 2020.
We received the news with much joy in our hearts, coming barely two weeks after our great University was ranked the best in West Africa, number 7 in Africa and among the top 500 universities in the world. We will continue to post superior performance in the years ahead. We congratulate our students, knowing full well that in the words of our University Anthem, this is “Greatness won with honest toil”. We acknowledge with gratitude the persistence, hardwork, innovation and perseverance of the members of the Faculty. The University Management will continue to support you as we appreciate that Law is one of our flagship programmes.
It is worth noting that the University of Ibadan produced the Overall best graduating student, in the person of Olalere Yusuf Asamu, who won a total of 12 prizes. Adebayo, Deborah IbukunOluwa emerged the Best Overall Female Student of the Year, in addition to her winning four other prizes. Madu, Kelechi Chris-Angelo; Ayeku, Adeyemi Kehinde and Udeh, Kosisochukwu Chukwunonso won two prizes each, while Anyaeji, Ohizoba Theodora; Adebayo, Temilade Jumoke; Adewole Enifeoluwa Philip; Banjo, Afolasade Omobowale and Ojini. Ese Isioma won one prize each.
The prizes won by the Ibadan trained lawyers are in Property Law Practice; Civil Litigation; Criminal Litigation; Corporate Law Practice; Professional Ethics and Skills; Best Overall Male Student of the Year; Best Female Student in Civil Litigation; Best Female Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation; Best Student of the Year (1st Prize); Best Overall Male Student; Most Promising Student; Prize for 1st Class Students and the Council of Legal Education Star Prize. The complete list is presented in table 1.
It is trite to state that we have never been so pleased.
In the words of Professor Oluyemisi Adefunke Bamgbose, SAN, former Dean of Law and member of the Governing Council:
The outstanding performance of our students at the Nigerian Law School year 2020 is a consequence of a combination of the following: faithfulness of God; Uncompromising and supportive University Management; and first class and committed faculty staff and intelligent and diligent students.
The Dean of Law, Professor Simisola Olutoyin Akintola was extremely happy and pleased with the outstanding performance of the UI students. She said that since nearly all the prize winners are UI students that she was just looking for the very few on the list who are not Ibadan products.
To Professor Israel Adeniyi Olatunbosun, the immediate Past Dean of Law and currently the Acting Vice-Chancellor KolaDaisi University, Ibadan:
Our admission policy has been an added advantage and contribution to outstanding performances we have been recording at the Nigerian Law School. Once again, UI law graduates have done the University proud at the 2020 Call to Bar ceremony with outstanding records carting away 28 out of 38 prizes and awards , including the star prize by Yusuf Olalere. Remarkably UI graduates have proven consistently superlative records of high quality and attest to our maxim that certainly if it must be from UI, it must be of outstanding quality.
Dr John Akintayo a Reader in Law, Quondam Head of Department and one of the first generation of students of Law at the University of Ibadan in the 1980s
Praise the Lord Jesus. God has done it again for us. I have asked a colleague to identify all our graduates so that I don’t leave anyone out. Madu, Ayeku are UI Graduates. Congratulations sir. Thank you for your support sir. My VC sir, we are quite excited. This has proved to the whole world that Ibadan is the best place to study Law in Nigeria.
Dr Afolasade Adewumi, a Senior Lecturer in Law and a member of the University Senate said, Greatest UItes won almost all the Law School Prizes; UItes won 28 out of 38 prizes. Thank you very much Sir. You have done excellently well for all of us. You provided the conducive environment for us to work in.
We once again congratulate these great ambassadors of the University of Ibadan for doing their alma mater proud and wish you and all your other colleagues who were also called to the Bar today greater successes in their career. Having received the best legal training at Ibadan and Abuja, the world is now under your feet. Higher still.
Thank you.
Idowu Olayinka
Vice-Chancellor
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NIGERIA
#1 in Nigeria; #7 in Africa
Top 500 in the Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2021
Tuesday, 15th September 2020
S
Chief O C J Okocha SAN, MFR, Chairman, Body of Benchers presenting prizes to Yusuf Asamu OLALERE, 2020 Nigerian Law School Overall Best Student on 15 September, 2020
Table: List of UI Law Graduates who are Prize winners at the Nigerian Law School 2020
Subject of Award
Names of Donor
Names of Donee
Property Law Practice
Sir Darnley Alexander, KBE 1st Prize
Olalere Yusuf Asamu
Chief Rotimi Williams, CFR, SAN. 2nd Prize
Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR. 3rd Prize
Madu, Kelechi Chris-Angelo
Civil Litigation
Justice Olujide Shomolu. 1st Prize
Olalere Yusuf Asamu
Criminal Litigation
Sir Lionel Brett, KBE. 1st Prize
Olalere Yusuf Asamu
Babatunde Abiodun Ibironke, SAN (Former Director-General, Nigerian Law School). 1st Prize
Olalere Yusuf Asamu
Corporate Law Practice
Justice J. O. Shofolahan (Former Director-General, Nigerian Law School). 1st Prize
Ayeku, Adeyemi Kehinde
Justice Ayo Irikefe, GCON
Banjo, Afolasade Omobowale
Dr. Nebo Graham-Douglas, CFR, SAN. 2nd Prize
Adewole Enifeoluwa Philip
Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. 3rd Prize
Adebayo, Deborah IbukunOluwa
Professional Ethics and Skills
Hon. Justice Kayode Eso, CFR. 1st Prize
Udeh, Kosisochukwu Chukwunonso
The Body of Benchers. 1st Prize
Udeh, Kosisochukwu Chukwunoso
Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, CFR, SAN. 2nd Prize
Adebayo, Deborah IbukunOluwa
Mr. Damian D. Dodo, OFR, SAN. 3rd Prize
Ayeku, Adeyemi Kehinde
Best Overall Female Student of the Year
National Association of Women Judges Boinime Jackson Lott Foundation
Adebayo Deborah IbukunOluwa
Best Overall Male Student of the Year
Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Alli, SAN
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Best Female Student in Civil Litigation
Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, GCON
Anyaeji, Ohizoba Theodora
Best Female Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation
Chief J. K. Gadzama, OFR, MFR, SAN
Adebayo, Temilade Jumoke
Best Overall female Student
Nigerian Bar Association
Adebayo, Deborah Ibukunoluwa
Best Overall Male Student
Nigerian Bar Association
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Best Student of the Year (1st Prize)
Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, KBE, GCON
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Dr. Taslim Elias, GCON, SAN
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams, GCON
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Best Student of the Year (3rd Prize)
Chief T. O. S. Benson, CFR, SAN
Ojini. Ese Isioma
Most Promising Student
Donated by Hon. Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah, OFR
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Prize for 1st Class Students
Director-General, Nigerian Law School
Adebayo, Deborah IbukunOluwa
Madu, Kelechi Chris-Angelo
Olalere, Yusuf Asamu
Council of Legal Education Star Prize
Donated by the Council of Legal Education
Olalere Yusuf Asamu
File: Law School Prizes September 2020
The clinical skills laboratory at the College òf Medicine has helped the the practical experience of Nursing students to have simulated practical experiences that have enabled them in gaining clinical nursing skills and knowledge. Thanks to the seasoned teachers and clinical instructors, the Department of Nursing presented students for Registered nurse professional examinations with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and the results were brilliant. Same with Midwifery students. We had 100% in the following years: May 2018, November 2018, and May 2019 and 92.1% in November 2019.
With the aforementioned impressive results in professional exams, the Department of Nursing was awarded in 2018 by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Overall Best Performing Department Award (N&MCN, 2019).
The Department of Nursing was appointed a Centre for adaptation of foreign trained nurses in 2019. The programme for Foreign Trained Nurses (FTNs) commenced in the Department of Nursing, in May, 2018 with a total of 17 students. With another series of impressive (100%) results and based on other criteria, we got the Departmental Outstanding performance award.
To enhance better relationship between the University and parents/guardians of our students and to facilitate an effective communication channel between the two, the University established the Parents-Students/Management Stakeholders Forum. It held on
May 2016
Tuesday, 10 April, 2018
Thursday, 23 May, 2019
The Centre for Social Orientation continues to hold its Anti-Cultism Campaign at every orientation programme for fresh students and every semester across faculties and halls of residence. The campaign was extended to the Abadina community, Abadina Junior School and Abadina College Senior School in July and October 2018. In addition, the centre continues to hold the CenSO half hour programme on Diamond FM (UI Radio) between 1.30pm and 2.00pm every Wednesday. Also, various social media platforms are regularly deployed to publish sensitization messages on various social ills that are common among youths.
A National Workshop/Conference on Acceptable Social Behaviour and Campus Safety was organised by CenSO between 29 and 31 March 2016.
The Career Development and Counselling Centre in its commitment to student welfare holds the following counselling sessions for students:
Day to Day Counselling Sessions on various issues and challenges of life and those peculiar to academics.
Counselling Sessions for Sharp Droppers (those whose CGPA are observed to have dropped sharply).
Counselling Sessions for Reabsorbed Students. These are students that have completed serving their disciplinary terms. About 55 students have benefitted from this service between 2016 and date.
Counselling Sessions for Borderliners. These are students who are likely to be advised to withdraw from the University.
Other services provided by the Centre since January 2016 include the following:
Career projection Support
Study Skill aCounselling and Training
Anger Management
STI/HIV?aids Prevention Counselling
Career Decision-Making Training
Career Choice Support
Career Assessment and Interpretation
Job search Strategies
Marital Decision-Making Support
Grief Management
Relationship Building
Paren-Child Conflict Resolution
Family Issues
Ethnic/Cultural Issues
Techniques of Interview/Work Assessment
Retirement Related Issues
Time ManagementTechnique Training
Interpersonal/Relationship Techniques Difficulties/Loneliness Training
Emotional Intelligence Programming
Self-Concept Grooming
Interpersonal Relationship at Work
Alcohol and Drug Use Addiction Control
Cigarette Smoking Cessation Programme
Stress Management
Job Analysis and Evaluation
Resiliency and Competency Promotion Programmes
Parenting and Competency Promotion Programmes
Sexuality Issues
Parenting and Adolescent Management
Eating Disorder/Body Image
Trauma/Assault Control
Career Placement Support
Room-mate Conflict Resolution
Work-Family Conflict Resolution
To enrich the learning experience of our students, the following student-oriented programmes were organised:
GIS Boot Camp: The event was organised for both undergraduate and postgraduate studentsto undergo free GIS Software, Training and Certification between September 22nd and 29th 2018.
Tell Your Story Online Competition: In partnership with GIS Konsult Ltd, HITACHI, Ibadan Urban Flood Management project (IUFMP) and other organisations, another stage in the Geohackathon series- “Tell Your Story Online Competition” ran from 14th of January to March 2019. Participants who won prizes were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the sustainable development of Africa at the Geohackathon event that held 1st week in April 2019.
Beyond Smarts Masterclass for UI Students: The beyond smarts masterclass programme was to provoke excellence in students. Final year students with First Class, Distinction and thestudent with the highest CGPA in the Second Class Upper (Honours) division from each Department were targeted. The programme was structured to provide students with key life requirements. It held between 29 and 30 June 2018.
Emerging Young Entrepreneur Africa Business Plan Competition Training: The programme included training, mentoring, prototyping, technology transfer, incubation and funding, meant to produce a new generation of young entrepreneurs. It held on 29 and 30 June 2018.
Young Professional Bootcamp: This facilitated the attendance of 10 UI students at a fully funded 5-day in-residence program for high potential 20-25 year olds delivered by an NGO (Covenant Christian Centre) towards world class practical training to inspire innovation and drive success in the marketplace. The programme centered on entrepreneurship, leadership and corporate career training.
The 234 Project Challenge: The team listened to six Start-up Business Pitches to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovative thinking. The #250,000 business pitch prize was won by a 600 level Veterinary Medical student (Ruona Onothoja). This programme was coordinated by CEI in partnership with CAMPUSLABS, a youth based NGO.
Africa Fintech Festival: The festival had in attendance ten outstanding final year Students of the University of Ibadan from the Departments of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Geology between 3 – 7 December, 2018. The students got an opportunity to interact with Africa’s largest financial institutions, best FinTech startups, Technology Companies and industry experts. The event showcased numerous indigenous African creativity and innovation at addressing peculiar African challenges while focusing on entrepreneurial opportunities for fintechs adoption, innovation, job creation and ICT contributions to the growth of the economy. Strategic roadmap for key subjects of global interest such as Financial Inclusion, Regulatory Technology – Regtech, Cybersecurity, Blockchain Technology, Data Security, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics, and Startup Scale-Up.
Hutzpa Excellence and Leadership Programme (HELP) Award: The fellowship by the Hutzpa Center for Innovation and Development is a fully sponsored four-month leadership immersion programme in innovation management. For 2018, it was awarded to overall best students from College of Medicine, Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Science.
UI-First Bank Career Fair: This was designed to aid graduating students through the recruitment, application, and networking processes. Career fairs and training expos are held all over the world in academic institutions. This is an ingenious way to meet the needs of both employers and potential employees (our students). The first ever Career Fair in UI was organized in Partnership with First Bank Nigeria Ltd. Conceived to increase the employability potential of UI students it featured 35 potential employers across different disciplines and major Human Resource Consulting Companies. It held on 6th November 2018. The 2019 edition held on 28th November 2019, with 600 students of the University of Ibadan participating as well as about 60 firms.
Students Impact Programme: Held on 8 November 2018, on the second day of the UIRESDEV Fair. Participating organizations that mounted floats were Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd and Fidelity Bank PLC. Some of the benefits were: a. One-On-One career advice sessions for students and interactions with key employees of NBC and Fidelity Bank
b. Virtual / Interactive Games
c. Branded space where students could find out more about NBC and Fidelity Bank d. Mini educative competitions where students won branded items
Emerging Young Entrepreneur (EYE) Initiative Agripreneurial training for Students: The training was designed to foster interest in Agribusiness in the minds of students and create a network of young Agripreneurs who will build the foundation for an emerging capitalist Africa. The Memorandum of Understanding brokered between EYE and the University of Ibadan makes UI a host location of the EYE initiative. The First training was conducted between 21 February and 23 February with 15 Students in attendance. The enrollees went through trainings on entrepreneurial mindsets, motivations and behaviours, industry status and conditions as well as macroeconomic changes and the opportunities they present. To round up the idea generation phase, value innovation and the business model canvas was also taught.
Internship Opportunity with Stanbic IBTC PLC: The CEO of Stanbic IBTC PLC who was invited to Chair the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 University of Ibadan Research and Development Fair graciously granted that UI students with CGPA of First Class Honours and 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) may apply for internship with Stanbic IBTC PLC and can be subsequently employed after graduation.
GeoHackathon Events for Students of the University of Ibadan: Geohackathon competition is aimed at utilizing innovative geo-spatial technologies to proffer solutions for sustainable development. This is season one of the Geohackathon series and participants guided by SDGs two, three, nine, 11, 12 and 13 have developed and submitted solutions in some categories. The categories included Application/Product/Prototype, Innovative Industrial Research and Online StoryMap Journal.
In partnership with GIS Konsult Ltd and with the sponsorship of HITACHI, Ibadan Urban Flood Management project (IUFMP) and other organisations, another stage in the Geohackathon series- “Tell Your Story Online Competition” ran from 14th of January till March 2019. Participants who won prizes were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the sustainable development of Africa at the Geohackathon award ceremony.
Figure 6: Winners from the three categories (Journal, Application/Product/ Prototype and Innovative Industrial Research) with the Academic and Industry Mentoring Partners
Geohackathon Application/Product/ Prototype Competition and Award Ceremony: Held on 24th of June 2019. Presentations were made for the geohackathon Application/Product/ Prototype category with 1st-3rd position winners emerging after the panelists assessed and score the products. Another major highlight of the Geohackathon Season 1 Award ceremony was the appreciation of industry partners. Further information on the geohackathon project can be found on the following URL- https://www.gisknigeria.com/geography-green/.
Figure 7: Grand Finale of season 1 Geohackathon Competition
2nd Edition of Beyond Smarts Masterclass for UI Students: The Beyond Smart Masterclass programme was to provoke excellence in students, targeting final year students with First Class, Distinction and a student with the highest CGPA in the Second Class Upper (Honour) division from each Department. It was structured to empower outstanding UI students with employability, workplace readiness, entrepreneurial skills and be proficient in all the processes leading to securing their dream job. The 2-day programme held from Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2019. Some of the topics taken are as follows:
Developing Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People.
Employability and Workplace Readiness Skills.
Foundations of Self-Transformation: Developing Self, Developing Skill and Knowledge.
Foundations of Self-Transformation: Developing Career Awareness
Leadership Competencies – What Makes A Successful Leader.
Getting Your First Job.
Developing Multiple Streams of Income.
Passion2Profit: Building Personal Brand and Becoming Your Own Boss
Passion2Profit: How to Start your own Passion Business
Effective Communication & Business Writing.
Career Transitioning and future of Work.
Figure 8: Some students at the Masterclass held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2019
University Based Tech Workshop and Hackathon Series: The University is an associate member of Fintech Association of Nigeria (FinTechNGR) and also has a Memorandum of Understanding with Fintech Associates Limited (FAL). One of the integral parts of the MoU is Tech Workshop and Hackathon Series. The maiden edition held on UI Campus on Saturday August 3rd, 2019 with 201 students in attendance. Participants were drawn from students who had been involved in geohackathon, disability hackathon, etc. Stakeholders present at the event were Inlaks (Technical Partner), EFINA (Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access), FintechNGR (Fintech Association of Nigeria), SmartTeller (Startup), Esusu.Africa (Startup), University of Ibadan Representatives, The Fintech Team.
Figure 9: Fintech Association of Nigeria (FinTechNGR) Tech Workshop and Hackathon Series
Hutzpa Excellence and Leadership Programme (HELP) Award: The fellowship by the Hutzpa Center for Innovation and Development is a fully sponsored four-month leadership immersion programme in innovation management. For 2019, the award was given to the following outstanding students after further application process:
Ogunfowora, Lawal Adewale, Department of Computer Science
Afolaranmi, Olusegun, Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine.
Ikwunne, Boluwatife N., Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine.
Ojagbemi, Olubukola Ogheneovo, Dentistry, College of Medicine.
The students will utilize full scholarship to participate in Hutzpa’s Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship from May to August 2020 – a programme that rigorously trains young professionals on innovation management. They will enjoy mentorship from a global community and acquire first-hand experience working on solving global challenges through innovative processes.
FBN/UI MasterClass at First Academy, Iganmu, Lagos: As part of the MoU with First Bank Nigeria Limited, the first 60 students to arrive at the “Beyond Smart Masterclass” were rewarded with a fully sponsored weekend-long in-residence training programme at First Academy, Iganmu, Lagos from December 4th-7th 2019. Sessions were facilitated by reputable individuals in the industry. The topics taught were Digital Transformation and New thinking; Entrepreneurship versus Employability; Pros and Cons; Business Communication and elocution; and Branding and Personal Excellence; each scheduled within the four days the students were at the academy. Also, extra-curricular activities like aerobics and games; team bonding, TGIF Get Together culminated in the success of the four-day event.
Figure 10: Students at FBN/UI MasterClass at First Academy, Iganmu, Lagos
Google Digital Skills Programme: There is a digital skills gap in the African labour Market, against this backdrop, the University of Ibadan entered into an MoU with Entrepreneurial Empowerment Initiative Africa to supplement this skill gap for interested final year students of the University of Ibadan on an on-going basis. EEI invited Ziqora – a partner of Google to the University of Ibadan to deliver the first training on 11th December 2019 with 281 students in attendance. The training covered Digital Marketing, Web Design, SEO, Entrepreneurial skills, Business Writing and other skills necessary in the workplace.
Figure 11: Participants at the Google Digital Skills Programme on December 11th, 2019
TensorFlow World Extend Training: TensorFlow is a computational framework developed by Google as part of its contribution to the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. It is used for building machine learning models. Since being open sourced in 2015, TensorFlow has had a significant impact on many industries. The training midwifed by Mr Ahmed Olanrewaju of ITeMs unit was organized on 16th November 2019 to empower students with TensorFlow training as well as to make them understand that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is multidisciplinary in application, especially because AI and Big Data is taking over from:
Computer Vision (Images and Video Processing)
Decision making systems
Natural Language Processing
Speech Recognition and other domains.
Figure 12: Volunteers and Participants at the TensorFlow World Extend Training
Discover Next Workshop: This was delivered to over 200 students on 16th April 2019 by Techbridge, an industry partner of the University of Ibadan with co-location facility on campus. The workshop was designed to open the minds of students to possibilities beyond regular white-collar jobs. Discussion topics included Digital Marketing, graphics design, leading softwares for graphic designers, the perks of graphics design, career and opportunities in graphics design and learning resources for graphics designing, coding and programming, animations and it’s applicability to sales, engineering, education, advertising, medicine and corporate organizations.
2nd Edition of UI-First Bank Career Fair: The overall intention of the career fair is to present an employment platform to final year students and alumni of the University of Ibadan, where they would be able to interact and engage with renowned organisations spanning diverse industries and sectors for job placement. The second annual career fair held on 28th November 2019 and was organized in Partnership with First Bank Nigeria Ltd based on a subsisting 3-year MoU. The career fair featured 30 potential employers across different disciplines and major Human Resource Consulting Companies. 536 candidates were expected to participate in the career fair. However, the attendance record showed that 361 current students and 91 alumni registered their names at the fair making a total of 452 candidates. From the feedback form given to employers, the following information was gathered:
An average of 65 candidates was interviewed by each employer.
An average of 17 candidates was shortlisted as potential hires by each employer.
65% of the candidates were shortlisted as potential hires by the employers.
Employers’ found the career fair useful and beneficial to their organization
Figure 13: The second annual career fair held on 28th November 2019
The following strategic partnerships have been brokered on behalf of the University:
First Bank of Nigeria Limited: Being a three-year partnership to primarily organize an annual Career Fair for final year students of UI, amongst other benefits, which is couched in a detailed MoU. The second annual career fair held on 28th November 2019.
Partnership with Prince Abiodun Lufadeju On The Book Titled “From School To Work”: The purpose of the MoU is to collaborate to promote a book on developing Entrepreneurial mindset for students in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions titled “From School To Work” within and outside the University. Aside from the IGR at the event, reviewers recommended that the book would enrich the employability of students of the University of Ibadan and could therefore be adopted for use on our GES 301 course. The book was launched on November 27th, 2019.
Figure 14: At the book Launch on 27 November, 2019
ARCGIS software donation renewal: The renewal of the ARCGIS software donation by ESRI to the University of Ibadan was secured in November 2019 till November 2020 by facilitating the use of the GIS Software for innovation and sustainable development in Partnership with GIS Konsult Limited, making a total of 5 years (October 2014 till date) 0f having ESRI software donation at the University of Ibadan.
Universal Diplomats Consultancy Nigeria Limited: University of Ibadan School of Business (UISB) will be their Nigerian Partner in facilitating the Gateway Executive Programme to Florida International University with the aim of expanding the frontiers of management, entrepreneur and global business practice. Apart from the opportunity to UISB students, the University will be able to generate IGR through this arrangement.
Merck Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Limited: The University entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in retaining an institutional account with Merck to ensure procurement of high-quality healthcare, life science products, chemicals and equipment at discounted prices from Merck or other authorized channel partners. Other collaborative venture includes:
Research and development collaboration.
Knowledge and technology sharing.
Scientist/technologist capacity building and training.
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria: The scope of partnership includes but is not limited to the following:
Professional membership for undergraduate and post graduate students in the cognate Department.
Professional Membership programme Academia, Non-Academia (Admin cadre).
Curriculum alignment programme.
Professional development opportunities for Academia and Admin cadre/Management.
Establishment of B.Sc. and Post-graduate degree in Human Resource Management.
Research collaboration with the Institute with contribution from the academic units.
Media for Community Change, Blue Luxury Investments: The scope of collaboration includes the following:
Cooperation on academic programmes.
The development of joint research activities.
Student training and development.
Student exchange and/or visiting programmes.
The exchange of information, including the results of teaching and research collaboration.
Any other activities viewed to be mutually beneficial.
Entrepreneurial Empowerment Initiative (EEI Africa): Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for partnership with Entrepreneurial Empowerment Initiative “EEI AFRICA” is for curating a series of events and programs targeted at students, including:
Entrepreneurial Skills for ladies.
Tech fair for technical entrepreneurs.
Idea generation and clarification programmes for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Digital skills training and enhancement.
Training on business development, pitching, and accessing funds for business owners.
Students hackathon for programmers
Techbridge Consulting Limited: The purpose of the MoU is to enable the Parties to collaborate in order to provide professional competency opportunities to undergraduate students of the University and other interested members of the general public who are desirous of participating in the Program and achieving certification in Robotics, Technology, Engineering design and STEM Education.
Students free access to Coursera e-learning resources
Before the lockdown of the institution on account of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the University of Ibadan had already gotten to an advanced stage in our plans to improve our students’ learning experience by deploying a Learning Management System. The prevailing situation only further strengthens our resolve to complete the process already started.
However, since the last academic session has not yet been officially concluded, learning resources that are tailored to students’ course enrolment will have to wait until the commencement of the new session. Nonetheless, we are committed to supporting student development during this period.
Hence, the University recently subscribed to over 3,800 courses in 400 specialisations. Most of these courses ordinarily attract subscription fees but are now offered free as part of the efforts of the giant online training company – Coursera – to impact the world at this time.
Learning resources for incoming 2019/2020 Undergraduate freshers on the UI LMS
Invitations sent by bulk SMS in April and published on the website
Follow up invitation via email in May
Total users created – 4,162
1st set of users logged on – April 27, 2020
Total unique users to date: 2,431
Figure 1. Average daily visits by course category – 27 April to 10 July (Source: Information Technology and Media Services Unit)
Coursera Learning resources for current UG and PG students
Invitations sent to all Undergraduate and Postgraduate students via email and on the website
1st set of users logged on – June 20, 2020
Total unique users to date: 308
Available user licenses: 5,000 (Yet to be used 4,692)
Courses enrolled: 1,081
Feedback: Very good
Next step: Send to staff. Resend to students
RETROFITTING STUDENTS’ HALLS OF RESIDENCE
We believe that our students are entitled to decent accommodation, conducive to healthy living and effective learning. There are currently 12 Halls of Residence with a total optimum capacity of about 8,500. Only one out of every three students can be accommodated. The oldest of the Halls, Mellanby, was formally opened on 17 November 1952 while the newest, Abdul-Salam Abubakar, was opened in 2000.
Eight to 10 students now use rooms officially allocated to three or four students. The end result is that the facilities are overstretched; students live in such squalor living conditions that are not conducive to learning. Power outages, irregular supply of water and dilapidated infrastructures in the halls of residence constitute serious health hazards.
To upgrade facilities, we designed the 2019 Benchmark for Hall Infrastructure. It has the following components:
Plumbing and water supply: Water should flow on all floors and in all water closets. Toilets should flush.
Painting (internal and external).
Building of incinerators, particularly in female halls, but recommended for all.
Refurbishing inverters with the assistance of the Equipment Maintenance Centre.
Regular Fumigation.
Other projects according to the peculiarities of each hall.
In carrying out the above:
We are determined to be prudent in expenditure, opting for highest quality materials at the cheapest cost, after the Ransome Kuti Hall model.
Direct labour is preferred to reduce cost.
As end-users, we should pay close attention to the quality of installations and fittings. We should not brook shoddiness.
Decisions on Hall projects should be in consultation with student leaders and each hall warden should ensure that plans to improve infrastructure are communicated to the generality of Hall residents.
A Task Force headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) was established on the benchmarks and to negotiate bureaucratic bottlenecks with the Maintenance Unit and the Bursary.
Attempts have been made by the respective Hall Management Committees to upgrade Hall facilities, including water and electricity supply, carry our general repair works which included fixing broken doors and louvres, deforestation and fumigation. Internal and external painting is on-going and many of the Halls now wear a new look. The University Management ensured prudent deployment of the funds so that there would be value for money. The Students as end users were part of the process.
The deliverables on completion of the retrofitting program include water flowing on all floors, painting (internal and external), functional incinerators and inverters. Our aim is to have good quality facilities at the cheapest possible price.
Student Unionism
There was a massive student demonstration in April 2016 following which the University was closed down for about six weeks before students were recalled the following month. As if to mark the first anniversary of this unfortunate incident, there was another Students Crisis in May 2017, following which the University was again closed down. Senate then suspended student union activities with effect from 30 May 2017. In spite of this the student union leaders went on a campaign of calumny against the University authorities.
Nonetheless, after a period of interregnum, Senate at its regular meeting of Friday, 30 August, 2019 considered and approved the proposal from Management to lift the suspension of the University of Ibadan Student Union. To avert the recurrence of vicious confrontation by the students and to engender a purposive Students’ Union, the Senate set up a Prof. Kassey Garba led Ad Hoc Committee to develop a university-wide leadership training programme similar to the one currently running in the Faculty of the Social Sciences.
The Ad-Hoc Committee was charged to design a students’ leadership programme for the University with a view to imbuing the generality of students with leadership qualities and the ability to discern and elect credible leaders, and To develop a specific plan for the pre-election workshop for aspirants to Student Union Executive positions and post-election retreat for elected leaders.
The Ad-Hoc Committee made the following recommendations which were approved by Senate:
The university-wide SLDP should be managed by a Committee comprising personnel from the Student affairs Division, the Students Welfare Board, SLDP staff coordinators and student volunteers from every faculty/school/college.
Facilitators should be drawn from within and outside the University on the basis of expertise in specific subject matter. These will include role model Alumni.
Students would take charge of the programmes, while the SLDP Committee domiciled at the Student Affairs Division will facilitate. However, the capacity of students should first be built to lead the programme. The Committee would anchor the programme until such a time that the students can take charge.
The Committee should work to harmonize the activities of the SLDP with those of other bodies with similar programmes and activities in the University.
Each Faculty/School/College should have a highly dynamic SLDP, operated by the faculty/school/college appointed committee as well as carefully selected students’ volunteers. The SLDP programmes would commence at the Faculty level and culminate at the University level under the University SLDP Committee and students volunteers.
A specific day and period should be set aside at the faculty level and also at the University level for the SLDP, which should hold thrice every semester. It could be Fridays before Jumat service.
Relevant NGOs and private companies could be invited to contribute to the programme as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.
Speakers such as successful Entrepreneurs, Respected Community Leaders, Teachers, Politicians, Farmers, Nollywood Artists who are of proven sound character should be invited to give special talks to the students.
Administration: As earlier recommended, The SLDP will be domiciled at the Student Affairs Division. However, the SLDP Committee should comprise of the Dean of Students and his Deputy, the Student Welfare Board of the Senate, and the SLDP coordinators and selected students’ volunteers of faculties/schools/colleges.
Volunteers: Student volunteers for the SLDP should be drawn from Faculties/Schools/Colleges. Each Faculty would have its own set of volunteers, one of whom would represent the Faculty in the Central Committee. In other words, it is suggested that a volunteer who has proven himself/herself a responsible leader at the faculties/school/college levels should represent the faculty/school/college at the Central Committee. Also, students should only be eligible as from 200level. The Office of the Dean of Students should be present at the selection of student volunteers at the Faculty/School/College levels. As a mark of recognition and to motivate them, SLDP student volunteers could be given branded T-Shirts of their faculty colours that they would wear during the programmes.
Awards and Prizes: There should be awards given to participating students who excel at the various activities, to encourage all students to participate. Such awards could include Good Governance Award, the Bests Debater Award and The Most Peace-Making Student Award, etc.
Books and cash prizes should be given to winners. Books could be solicited for in form of donations from members of the University community. Members of Senate and Council should also be approached to endow prizes or make donations. Profs. Kassey P. Garba and I. O. Albert have already committed themselves to give prizes at the SLDP debates and/or symposium.
Specifically, a plaque with University inscriptions or a trophy was recommended to be given to student(s) (winner(s)) at the final stage of the SLDP competition – the symposium. Only those who emerge at the level of faculties/schools/colleges should compete at the higher University level.
Souvenirs and` Entertainment: There should be some incentives like jotters, pen etc. given to students who are present at SLDP programmes. Refreshment should also be provided at the grand finale.
Publicity: The SLDP should be aggressively publicized on traditional and new media platforms.
Financial Responsibility for the SLDP: Senate should mandate each Faculty/School/College to make the SLDP a line item in their budget, to cover the cost of running the SLDP at the Faculty/School/College level. The University should bear the cost of running the programme at the University level. In addition, the Committee should look into possible collaboration with Corporate Organizations for sponsorship and prizes. It was noted that the students, working with the Students Affairs Office could drive the appeal for sponsorship with their much needed vigour.
Eligibility for Nomination to Student Leadership:
The following criteria were drawn up in line with the commitment of Senate to raise the bar of eligibility to hold Student Union positions:
Nominees for positions of student leadership at the University level should not be in 100 level or final year. Those who aspire to the post of the president must be at the penultimate year of their respective programmes.
Aspirants must also be on a CGPA score of 3.0 (i.e. 21 division) and above as at the time of nomination. Those in programmes not operating the CGPA will have their scores prorated to CGPA for the purpose of the election.
Aspirants must be of unscathed record, not having been convicted by the police, rusticated or expelled from any institution, ejected from a hall of residence or indulging in substance abuse. They must be persons proven to abide by the rule of Law.
Aspirants should be of sound mind.
Pre-Election Workshop for Aspirants and Post-Election Retreats for Student Union Leaders
The University Management, especially the Vice Chancellor should be present at the pre-election workshop and post-election retreat.
Attendance of the pre-election workshop and post-election retreat would be prerequisite for standing for election and taking the oath of office.
The retreat will take the form of a town hall meeting with an elaborate cocktail party at the end, during which University Management and student leaders will get the opportunity to initiate some bonding.
The following workshop/retreat topics were decided on:
Background and way forward with the Student Union (pre & post)
Conflict Dynamics (pre & post)
Emotional Intelligence (pre&post)
University Rules and Regulations
Financial Probity and Management (post)
Community Service and Collaboration (pre&post)
Effective Communication, Correspondence and Due Process (post)
It was recommended that a periodic leadership retreat should be organized for members of Senate and the University Administration focusing on topics listed above as this will build the participants capacity to build and nurture more cordial relationship with the students.
It is gratifying that the Student Affairs subsequently arranged an election into the Students’ Union (SU) Executive and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) for the 2018/2019 session. These held on 7th and 14th December, 2019, respectively. A new Students’Union Executive led by Olusegun Akeju a student of the Faculty of Law and a Student Representative Council led by Oluwaferanmi Omitoyin, a Medical Student in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences were subsequently elected and inaugurated.
Student Disciplinary Matters
Allegations of disrupting a dinner party organized by residents of Queen Idia Hall (a female Hall of Residence) on Saturday 15th November 2015 was made against a male student, Olatinwo, Phillip Opeyemi. He appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee of the University of Ibadan and he was found guilty of the allegations. Based on the unacceptable way he comported himself before the Committee he was expelled from the University. He took the matter to the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, on the basis that he was not allowed to call his own witnesses who knew that he was not one of those who disrupted the dinner party on the said date. The Honourable Court found the story of the University more credible and weightier than that of the Plaintiff. The Judge, Honourable Justice J. I. Abdulmalik delivered a judgement in favour of the University of Ibadan on Friday, 24th July 2020; he found the paintiff to be arrogant and insolent and found the Vice-Chancellor to be in order to have expelled the Plaintiff from the University. Consequently, the case was dismissed and the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) was awarded to the University against the plaintiff. In all of these, it is important to stress that University degrees are awarded to students who have been found worthy in character and learning. Hence, the need for students to be of good character cannot be overemphasized.