Nigerian Universities Should Evaluate Professors’ Contributions, Says Vice Chancellor

Professor Abdul-rasheed Na’Allah, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to initiate an evaluation process to assess the contributions of Nigerian professors to national development.

During an interactive session with the media in Abuja, Na’Allah emphasized the need for Nigerian universities to play a more impactful role in society and address the country’s development requirements.

Na’Allah, who was marking his four years in office, shared his perspective on reshaping Nigerian universities to become more responsive to societal needs. He suggested that the new administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should establish a system for holding universities accountable through performance assessment, focusing particularly on the contributions of professors who have attained the highest level of training.

He emphasized the importance of fostering a strong relationship between industries and universities, asserting that the government should prioritize this connection. Na’Allah advocated for performance assessments, emphasizing the necessity of clearly defining the university’s contributions to the community over a specified period.

According to Na’Allah, comprehensive assessments should cover various fields, including those that may not often be evaluated, such as food-related disciplines. He proposed that both public and private university professors should be encouraged to contribute to national development.

Na’Allah also addressed the issue of sexual harassment within the university, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy. He revealed that the university has implemented measures for students to directly report cases of sexual harassment through the school’s portals. He further disclosed that the university has taken disciplinary action against two academic staff members for sexual harassment, resulting in their expulsion.

Additionally, the Vice Chancellor stressed the importance of alumni engagement in the advancement of tertiary education. He expressed his commitment to creating avenues for successful graduates to give back to the university that contributed to their achievements. Na’Allah emphasized the significance of alumni support in enhancing the university’s growth and development.