UI fells trees for new Senate Building, draws ire from environmentalists

Over 100 trees have been cut down in the University of Ibadan to make way for a new Senate Building. The felling of the trees located in the university’s Heritage Park and Gardens, said to be a symbol of the institution’s rich history and legacy, has drawn the ire of environmentalists within and outside the university community.

Provision for a new Senate Building had already been made in the University of Ibadan Masterplan, elsewhere, however, the current university authorities, with Federal Government funding, chose the space occupied by Heritage Park, opposite Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Heritage Park was conceptualised, designed and implemented by Professor Labode Popoola, during his tenure as Dean of the Post Graduate School in the University of Ibadan, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the University of Ibadan in 2008.

Prof. Popoola, currently Executive Secretary/CEO of African Forest Forum in Nairobi, had reportedly made several appeals to concerned authorities including the Federal Ministry of Environment when plans to destroy the park became public knowledge earlier this year.

Responding to the event, he said: “How do we follow through on conservation efforts when the highest institution of learning which should be a beacon of hope is doing otherwise? Heritage Park, University of Ibadan, is gone.”

“Today will pass as one of the saddest days in my over 40 years sojourn at the University of Ibadan. I do not, however, blame the powers that be who did the unimaginable. I blame those who should have led the protest against this heist but chose to keep a deafening silence for reasons they will forever live to regret!”
The occurence has elicited response from environmentalists outside the university.

Rosalie-Ann Modder Oyefeso of The Save Our Green Spaces Group said: “Enlightenment is not merely about titles, positions, or credentials; it’s about wisdom, foresight, and a deep understanding of the consequences of one’s actions. The destruction of the Heritage Park and Gardens is a stark reminder that true enlightenment is sorely lacking in the university’s leadership.

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“One might make excuses for entrepreneur property developers or state governors or even delegates at COP29 pretending to commit to climate change mitigation, on the grounds that tertiary education, through no fault of their own, is not their strongest suit.

“Because if it was, they wouldn’t be neck deep in large scale deforestation all over the country.

“But what excuse can one make for Nigeria’s oldest University which even boasts a long-standing Department of Forestry?

“Today, the authorities of the University of Ibadan, securely backed by Federal might, have not only destroyed a thing of beauty and rich, environmental benefit.

“They have also destroyed the credibility of their academia as the most learned in the myriad ramifications of deforestation and climate change.”