The return of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the National Open University of Nigeria to begin MA/PhD programme in Christian Theology has elicited different comments. While some commentators commend his fresh academic journey at 77 as a bold step, others merely dismiss it as a publicity stunt for the university whose resuscitation he helped to facilitate in 2001.
For the latter school of thought, the action of the authorities is more than meets the eye. This, perhaps, explains why they ask whether the university is using the former President and some Nollywood artistes as bait to attract more students.
Indeed, while the authorities of the university were presenting the former president with his admission letter last Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, admitted that the presence of Obasanjo during his postgraduate diploma between 2007 and 2009 quadrupled student admission to the school. The VC also pointed to the long list of Nollywood artistes that have become the face of the university.
TV stars, Desmond Elliot and Doris Simeon, are among some of the movie artistes present during the elaborate presentation ceremony held at the Victoria Island headquarters of the university. Those who frown on the action argue that the academic community is a haven for serious learning process and not a place to parade comedians and entertainers as the institution’s ambassadors.
They also wonder why the 13-year-old university is seeking the endorsement of the artistes to attract further mileage. In their thinking, the provision of the right learning environment and facilities are central to distance learning process, which NOUN represents.
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