Amosun’s Decision To Scrap TASUED Our Darkest Moment, Says Vice Chancellor Banjo

By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta

The Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, on Wednesday took a solemn appraisal of the challenges has had to contend with since inception, and identified the spirited efforts and decision of Senator Ibikunle Amosun to scrap TASUED as the “darkest moment” in the annals of the first education varsity in the country.

The Daily Crucible reports that TASUED was established January 25, 2005 by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel when he upgraded the old Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) which was established in 1978 as Ogun State College of Education to produce the middle level manpower for the schools and colleges in the state and Nigeria, by turning it to a full – fledged University of Education and this transition was later supported with enabling laws from the state House of Assembly.

But barely eight years after its take – off and with three sets of graduates already produced, Daniel’s successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun moved to annul it, an action that set off chains of resistance, opposition and condemnations from Ogun indigenes, especially the Ijebu extraction of the state.

The Daily Crucible reports that Amosun had on February 8, 2012 through the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology at the time, Barr. Segun Odubela, announced the scrapping of the country’s premier university of education,TASUED, following his new policy on education bordering on reducing the number of tertiary institutions funded by the state government.

Consequently, TASUED was immediately re-designated to an Institute of Education under the state’s university; Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) as a department.

Also affected at the time by what was largely alleged by many as the Amosun’s scorched – earth policy aimed at erasing the legacies of his predecessor, are the four Information and Communication Technology (ICT) polytechnics in the state, which were also merged into the “Ogun State Institute of Technology with its headquarters at Igbesa.”

Odubela who announced the decision on behalf of his Principal after the Wednesday state executive council meeting, said the policy was taken to “salvage the standard in the education sector and to protect the interest of the generality of the citizens of the state” and “ensure decency of purpose and bring back the glorious days of tertiary education to the state.”

“This decision would address many problems that have bedevilled our higher institutions; the University of Education was discovered to have deviated from the purpose it was created to serve as less than 40% of the courses it offers are education-related.

“What you are witnessing is part of the Mission to Rebuild the State. We are rebuilding our higher institutions. All decisions taken were basically in the overall interest of the good people of Ogun State,” he had said in February 8, 2012.

However, respite came when a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital restrained Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the State House of Assembly from scrapping the then embattled Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED.

The Daily Crucible reports further that in giving the order, the federal high court presided over at the time by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, granted the order in a motion on notice filed by some aggrieved students of the institution, held that the state governor, state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun Assembly and the National Universities Commission, NUC were restrained over the TASUED.

Ofili-Ajumogobia said further action should be stopped on the attempt by the state government to scrap TASUED pending the determination of the suit.

The judge said: “All actions on the merger of the third (TASUED) and fifth (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye) defendants be and are hereby suspended until the final determination of the Motion on Notice dated February 9, 2012.”

The Daily Crucible recalls that in the suit, the plaintiffs – Adewunmi Michael Tosin, Olayemi Alaka Bose, Salaudeen Kazeem Olamilekan, Abiodun Sunday and Uthman Tajudeen Olusegun acting on behalf of the students and Alumni of TASUED, filed the suit against the governor, Attorney-General, TASUED, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, TASUED Branch, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Tai Solarin College of Education, the National University Commission (NUC) and Ogun State House of Assembly who were listed as the defendants/respondents.

The motion exparte was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by counsel, A.A.Ogunba, on February 9, 2012, an ex – Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu Ode branch. The order was granted on February 15, 2012 while the hearing on the matter was slated for March 27, 2012 at the time.

However, likening the Amosun administration’s onslaught on the varsity to a “wolf attack,” Banjo said the era cast a pall of gloom over the university, staff and students as well other concerned stakeholders as no father would like to see his child being attacked by a wolf and be happy.

The Vice Chancellor who disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen on the challenges the institution have had to contend with while addressing a press conference at the TASUED Senate building to commence its 20th anniversary, said they were able to overcome that “terrible” era through the efforts of “meaningful people in the society, prayer and fasting.”

•Prof. Banjo (middle)

Banjo said, “I want to tell you that nobody would see his growing child being attacked by a wolf. The father looking at that would be very sad and that was exactly what happened when that thing was on when they wanted to scrap the university and we all know that this(TASUED) is the first of its kind in the country and 8th in the world .

“I wonder how can somebody wake up one day and said he wanted to scrap TASUED, he wanted to kill the vision that many people are looking up to. Well, I want to say with the help of meaningful people in the society, with prayer and fasting we were able to overcome that. That is why you see us being happy today and we are celebrating what God has done for us. And I want to believe that was the darkest moment of this university. We have not seen something as terrible as that right from that time up till this moment.”

Highlighting some of the university’s achievements in his address, he said despite the challenges experienced as pioneer education varsity in Nigeria, he said that TASUED has consistently strived to break new ground, adding that it still remains the only university in the country that bestows upon its graduates two certificates – one for their academic degree and another for the invaluable vocational skills.

The Vice Chancellor also identified the installation of independent power supply system to facilitate an uninterrupted 24 hours power supply to make learning and working easier for the staff and students as another of its feat.

He attributed the achievements to the contributions of the Colleges, staff, and alumni whom he said were instrumental to shaping the trajectory of TASUED, explaining that their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to excellence, laid the foundation for the remarkable feats being celebrated at the 20th anniversary.

He noted that in the last 20 years, TASUED has produced over 50,000 graduates and continuously made significant impacts in the human capital development of teaching profession in Nigeria and across the globe, stressing that TASUED has truly provided the compass for other universities of Education established after it in the country.

“The journey that led to this momentous occasion was fraught with challenges. The very existence of this institution hung in the balance, threatened by the specter of closure. Yet, through the unwavering support of the people and successive administrations in Ogun State, the resilience of our founding fathers, and the unwavering belief in the importance of this institution, TASUED emerged, not just as a university, but as a beacon of hope, a testament to the indomitable spirit of human endeavor. Here we are, celebrating 20 years of impact: Educating Educators. We are the pride of the nation teaching both the content and pedagogy.

“I consider it a profound honour to participate in this significant milestone, particularly as I approach the conclusion of my tenure as Vice-Chancellor. To think that I began my service in 2020 and I am now addressing you during the University’s 20th Anniversary celebration is a truly remarkable experience

“That we are the first University of Education in Nigeria is a distinction that carries with it a profound responsibility. We are entrusted with the sacred duty of shaping the minds of future generations, of nurturing educators who will inspire and empower, who will ignite the flames of curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.

“Looking back on these two decades, we witness a tapestry woven with threads of dedication, innovation, and perseverance. We have witnessed the metamorphosis of a fledgling institution into a vibrant hub of academic excellence. We have celebrated the achievements of our students, who have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, contributing significantly to the social, economic, and cultural development of our nation and the world at large.

The contributions of our Colleges, staff, and alumni have been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of this institution. Their tireless efforts, their unwavering commitment to excellence, have laid the foundation for the remarkable achievements that we celebrate today.

He said, “TASUED has consistently strived to break new ground. We are the only university in Nigeria that proudly bestows upon our graduates two certificates – one for their academic degree and another for the invaluable vocational skills they acquire during their time with us. This unique approach reflects our commitment to holistic education, equipping our graduates not only with theoretical knowledge but also with the practical skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving world.

“Our commitment to research and innovation has been unwavering. 31 inaugural lectures have provided a platform for our esteemed Colleges to share their groundbreaking research findings with the wider academic community. These intellectual exchanges have not only enriched our academic discourse but have also contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge in various fields.

“We have also made a great feat, in getting independent power supply to facilitate an uninterrupted 24 hours power supply to make learning and working easier for the staff and student of this university.

“… perhaps the most significant achievement of TASUED lies in the impact our graduates have made on society. They are shaping the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring a new generation of learners, and contributing to the betterment of our world. The recognition of Mr. Kayode Adewale as one of the top 50 teachers globally serves as a powerful testament to the caliber of educators that TASUED produces.

“As I stand before you reflecting on these past twenty years, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and optimism. We have come a long way, but our journey is far from over. We must continue to strive for excellence, to push the boundaries of knowledge, and to remain at the forefront of educational innovation.

“We must cultivate a culture of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, empowering our students to become agents of change, to address the challenges of the 21st century with courage and determination. We must foster a strong sense of community, where colleges, staff, students, and alumni work together to create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

“The future of TASUED is bright. I envision a future where we are not merely a leading university of education in Nigeria, but a globally recognized institution, renowned for its academic excellence, its innovative teaching methodologies, and its transformative impact on society.”

“Let us, therefore, renew our commitment to this noble mission. Let us work together, with dedication and perseverance, to build a brighter future for TASUED, a future where we continue to educate the educators who will shape the destiny of our nation and inspire generations to come.”