The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Lillian Salami, has said inadequate funding and lack of personnel are two of the major challenges facing the institution.
Salami also applauded the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, a policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration, noting that it is an avenue to provide funding for those without the means to pursue their academic dream.
She stated this on Saturday during the thanksgiving and her book presentation to mark the end of her five-year tenure as the 10th substantive VC of the university.
She expressed her gratitude to God, staff and community members of the university and stakeholders, adding that the book chronicled her life and stewardship as the 10th vice chancellor of the institution.
In the 170-page book titled, “So Much to Say, A Memoir,” the outgoing VC said the dissolution of the nation’s Federal varsities Governing Board by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 was a huge relief for most vice chancellors.
She noted that the VCs were already choking from the overbearing nature of most pro-chancellors and council members before the latters’ sacking.
She recalled how a cabal within the University of Benin sponsored students’ protest in the twilight of her administration to discredit her tenure.
The VC said, “NELFUND is trying to bring equity and equality to everybody. For me, it is a process that is still in the works. There are a lot of things we are trying to get in place, trying to bring those who are outside into the system. We are still working on how to get more students to key into the system.
“Also, inadequate funding and lack of personnel, constant strike action by academic and non-academic staff are some of the major challenges facing the university.”
On her efforts to make UNIBEN a better institution than she met it, she said, “With all humility, I think I have done my best. My prayer is that the university can grow higher than we met it.”
In her memoir, Salami compared managing students at the institution to managing a motor park with uncultured youths.
Recalling how a cabal ganged up against her while as VC, she said, “The cabal cashed in on the electricity problem and mobilised the students on the campuses due to the disconnection from the national grid by the Benin DISCO over contentious electricity bill.
“Overseeing the University of Benin could well be compared with that of the motor park with some highly uncultured youths. The few who were from obviously, decent, well-mannered homes were often overwhelmed by the majority.
“At the slightest reason, even when such was unreasonable, they would block the highway, preventing vehicular movements and causing traffic gridlock. The irony is that passersby and parents always see it as a benefit to them. Little or no wonder that reports reaching the management often were that the students were instigated and energised by staff, and those who regarded themselves as stakeholders or concerned groups.”
The institution’s 10th VC noted that among the causes of protests by students during her tenure were inadequate electricity supply while the school uses generators to provide limited hours of power, the death of a student who was admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; and some students who were murdered within and outside the campus by suspected cultists.
The event was well attended by dignitaries across the country, including Edo State ex-governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegu, representatives from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies amongst others.
