Professor Ishaya, a man of unassuming demeanor, spoke with passion and conviction about his vision for the University of Jos. His eyes sparkled as he spoke about the motto that had guided the institution since its inception – “Dedication and Discipline”. It was a mantra that he believed was essential for achieving excellence, not just for the university, but for Nigeria’s higher education system as a whole.
It is 2040, his name is Tanko Ishaya, for the purpose of this conversation, he is just an ordinary man, but with academics are there really ordinary men. He is a professor, what you would call an expert professing knowledge in today’s AI world, the only difference is that, this is actually 2024, he is vice chancellor of the prestigious university of Jos.
The University of Jos, a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and progress, stands poised on the threshold of a transformative journey into the future. In envisioning the University of Jos of tomorrow, we embark on a bold endeavor to redefine higher education, embrace technological advancements, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and create an environment conducive to holistic learning and innovation.
Campus Infrastructure:
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Student Experience:
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As I sat down with Professor Tanko Ishaya, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. We were sitting in his office, surrounded by the trappings of a storied academic career, and yet, the conversation was not about the past, but about the future.
Professor Ishaya, a man of unassuming demeanor, spoke with passion and conviction about his vision for the University of Jos. His eyes sparkled as he spoke about the motto that had guided the institution since its inception – “Dedication and Discipline”. It was a mantra that he believed was essential for achieving excellence, not just for the university, but for Nigeria’s higher education system as a whole.
But our conversation was not just about the past. Professor Ishaya spoke about his dreams for the future, about the challenges he faced in bringing change to an institution steeped in tradition, and about his desire to leave a lasting impact on the university and the higher education system. He spoke about the need for transparency and accountability, and about his commitment to innovation and progress.
As we reminisced about the university’s history, I was struck by the parallels between our experiences. We had both been a part of the University of Jos at different times, and yet, our experiences were linked by a common thread – a commitment to excellence, and a belief in the power of education to transform lives.
The University of Jos, established in 1971 as a satellite campus of the University of Ibadan, had come a long way since its humble beginnings. From its early days as a pre-degree institution, to its establishment as a separate entity in 1975, the university had grown and evolved, adding new faculties and programs along the way. Today, it was a thriving institution, with a reputation for academic excellence, and a commitment to innovation and progress.
As we spoke, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in the university, and in the man who was leading it into the future. Professor Ishaya’s vision for the University of Jos was not just about academic excellence, but about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation – skills essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st century.
I am a Josite, a proud one at that, not much anyone could do about it, I am also a proud Nigerian, whether its a call for compatriots to arise or it is to hail the nation of native nationals and tribes. I believe that INigeria needs an education system that focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills to forge ahead.
We must emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation. Foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship skills.
We must redirect our energy on producing graduates with digital literacy, data analysis, and cutting-edge technical skills, because this is seriously lacking, beyond project and dissertation writing and plagiarism and citation issues. We must encourage research and development, with a focus on solving Nigeria’s unique challenges.
Develops soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, to enhance employability and global competitiveness. And off course, prioritize interdisciplinary approaches, combining arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. We must stop the study of Public and Business Admin just for the sake of getting a degree to work in the civil service.
Our universities must provides accessible, affordable, and inclusive education, leveraging technology and online platforms, while cultivating a culture of social responsibility, ethical leadership, and community engagement.
By adopting this approach, Nigerian universities can produce graduates equipped to drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development, forging a brighter future for the nation.
As our conversation came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of optimism about the future. The University of Jos, under the leadership of Professor Ishaya, was ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, shaping the future of Nigeria, and beyond, and my belief remains that through the threshold of our current struggles lies a beauty—May Nigeria win.
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Prince Charles Dickson PhD
Team Lead
The Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative (TRICentre)
Development & Media Practitioner|
Researcher|Policy Analyst|Public Intellect|Teacher
234 803 331 1301, 234 805 715 2301
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Skype ID: princecharlesdickson
