Encouraging universities to strengthen their ties with host communities, the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has underscored the importance of engaging in community services.
Delivering a public lecture on leadership challenges in Nigerian universities in Maiduguri, Prof. J. D. Amin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, called for active involvement in community service.
The public lecture, held in honor of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, was organized by a committee of friends.
Amin emphasized that community services should not be limited to just staff but should also involve students within host communities, in order to foster a sense of belonging.
He emphasized various forms of community service, such as organizing classes to help community students prepare for exams like JAMB, SSCE, or NECO, instead of solely focusing on academic research with delayed benefits.
During his remarks, Borno Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted the significance of community service and reiterated his administration’s commitment to partnering with universities in this endeavor.
Having previously served as a lecturer at UNIMAID, Zulum suggested collaborating with the university to enhance local revenue, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, including livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
Outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof. Aliyu Shugaba expressed his commitment to taking the advice of Amin and Zulum regarding community services seriously, acknowledging the challenges faced during his five-year tenure such as insurgency, COVID-19, and funding constraints.
Despite the obstacles, Shugaba cited the achievements of his administration and recognized the support received from university staff, students, the Borno Government, as well as various individuals and partners in driving transformation within the university.