What works for us at Crescent University —Ajibola

Crescent University has, since coming on the scene about 14 years ago, been recording outstanding achievements: increasing steadily in students’ population, turning out first class alumni and posting impressive programme accreditation results from the National Universities Commission. What has been the secret?

How have we been able to achieve so much? This is our observation: for example, there is no state in Nigeria that we don’t have some of our students from. We have covered all the 36 states in Nigeria. This is because we don’t have inhibitions on the issue of religion. If you’re a Christian, you’re welcome; if you’re Muslim, you’re welcome. If you are none, you are still welcome. We don’t base our admission on your religion or ethnicity. Then that gives us an idea of a retrospective appraisal of what really caused this development (our growth and achievements). We then found that basically the concept of the founder and proprietor (that is I) is deeply rooted in his family development – having a good father and bearing good children. I think we have that richness in the family. We took note of certain incidents; incidents that we can pinpoint as lime lights in the life of this family. Look at those two pictures (framed photographs on the wall); they are the pictures of members of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal. I’ve not shown you that of the World Court. That is another important aspect of my life. But if you look at that one (on the left), you will appreciate the essence of good character, good moral, good comportment. That is part of the source of our development.  If you look at the picture on the right (on the wall), you will notice that I happened to be (standing) behind. The second thing you will notice is that I happened to be the only black there. Then look at the one (picture) on the left, with virtually all the people that are on the right, but you will see me sitting down, in front and in the middle. That was when they made me their president. And I served as their president for years – a Nigerian, an African among Europeans, and I happened to be their president at that time! What could have enriched my position in that place at that time other than the fact that I had the comportment and the qualities?

That is why we are trying to instill that philosophy and character building in our students. That is the reason we are emphasising it, that it is not only academics. We want them to be first class in academics (they are doing very well and are going places all around the world in academics); but equally, they have been noted in many places many times for their good character.

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We have what is called Global Citizenship in our university. We take it seriously as a course. Even before my father was installed as the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, he was chief inspector of police, and he served to the best of his ability. He served diligently; he served with utmost integrity. We want our students to excel in academics, but we also want them to be of good character. That is our plan; that is our programme.

Listening to you, it appears that moral education has become somewhat a niche for Crescent University. But by way of scholarship, what area of knowledge are you positioning the university to be noted for?

We are on a programme that will identify us with medical research. We are on it; we have not completed the plans. When we are done with it, we will let people know that our research on human health and human development is utmost in our minds also.

You are an icon of the legal profession not only nationally but internationally. Have you at any time felt the nudge to make the Law programme of Crescent University a niche too?

First of all, we are determined to diversify. We already have the legal profession established. We have what we call the BAKOLAW, and then we have all the facilities there for developing the legal practice. We now intend to multiply some of our activities on the legal aspect. And the one we intend to focus on at the moment is arbitration – a kind of adjudication of a special nature; that is giving chance to alternative legal services, which is also part of the provision in the United Nations charter. But basically, what we are now doing is to ensure that not only Law, but they must have good character. Once that is established, all these other aspects will be added to it.

 The 100 per cent accreditation of the university’s programmes has been consistent. Can you tell us some of the factors that have been working for the university?

We ensure that we have the right type of professors as well as lecturers doing well in their fields. We are strict, and we allow our students to be exposed at all times to studying in the library and also ensuring that they face their studies at all times. Two of our students have already been accepted at the British Broadcasting Corporation. One of our students went to Southampton and made seven credits at that university. Another one went to Robert Gordon University and she did excellently well, and now back in Nigeria she’s wanted everywhere. Our students are doing very well, but we are not resting on our oars. We have now started having Master’s degree programmes and we are about to start PhDs also.

Talking about access; some people are saying that the scene is already saturated and are calling on the Federal Government to cease further issuance of licences to additional private universities. What is your take on this?

I personally feel that, for the time being, especially in our own area here in Ogun State, we have had enough. In all, I think we have about 16 private universities. It may be necessary in some other parts of Nigeria, but not here.

What about TETFund interventions? There have been calls to the government to extend these to private universities…

It’s unfortunate that we are not given that advantage. We also should be given the advantage of receiving TETFund in private universities because there is need for financial assistance in all the universities irrespective of whether they are funded by government or private individuals. I think they should all be given the advantage.