Four professors who recently retired from the Department of Statistics of the University of Unilorin tell FAITH AJAYI about the highlights of their careers and lives after retirement
I rejected CBN job offer for lecturing— Prof Peter Osanaiye
You worked as a lecturer at the University of Ilorin for 44years. What influenced your career choice?
I had a passion for it. As a matter of fact, I was offered the position of an Assistant Economist by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while I was also offered the job of Graduate Assistant at the University of Ilorin. I chose that of the University of Ilorin, and that was the beginning of my career.
What is your career trajectory?
I have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Statistics from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, in 1977 and 1980 respectively. I also did my PhD in Mathematics and specialised in Statistics Studies at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
I started my professional career as a graduate assistant at the University of Ilorin in 1978, and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 1999 in the same university.
What were the highlights of your career?
I was involved in teaching, research, and supervision of undergraduate, post-graduate and doctorate students. I was also an external examiner for many universities. I served on many university committees as well, and was engaged in many national assignments.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a lecturer?
One major challenge I faced as a lecturer was that my take-home pay could not take me home.
How were you able to overcome that challenge?
I was initially involved in farming.
As you have retired, what are some of the things you will miss doing?
I will miss the fellowship I used to have with colleagues during our tea breaks, as well as the opportunity to impart knowledge on students.
What plans have you made as regards your life post-retirement?
I am a consultant, and I will like to make more contributions towards the better positioning of statistics in Nigeria.
What advice do you have for the lecturers you are leaving behind in the system?
They should continue making positive impact on society in whatever position they are privileged to occupy.
Are any of children following in your career footsteps?
Two of my children are lecturers. One is in Nigeria, while the other one is in the UK.
Why did you decide to study Statistics in the first place?
I only got to know about Statistics in the university. I was admitted into the University of Ibadan to read Mathematics. I then decided to take Statistics as my major.
Many students shy away from Mathematics and Statistics, because they believe they are difficult subjects and that the lecturers who take them are usually strict. How did you relate with your students in a way that they were best able to assimilate the subject?
I made them to have interest in the course by taking them through its appealing practical uses.
What did you not enjoy about being a lecturer?
I cannot think of anything, because I have a natural passion for lecturing.
Having lectured for about 40 years, what are the memorable experiences you had with your students?
I make public appearances as a guest speaker at statistics conferences. I am also involved in consultancy works, where I meet some of my ex-students, who embrace me, and make me proud of them.
What is your favourite meal?
I enjoy pounded yam with egusi soup.
One must never give up on any student — Prof Reuben Ipinyomi
What are some of the significant things that stood out for you in the course of your career?
I hate people being cheated in any system. I find it annoying when a hardworking lecturer is denied promotion for lack of vacancy.
What informed your career choice in academics?
I knew early that I was knowledgeable and interested in mathematics. As I was growing up, I thought of studying Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science; but I finally settled for Statistics.
Tell us about your career?
Our generation was a fairly lucky one. We moved almost straight from secondary school to get the Higher Secondary School Certificate, then to the university, before we started lecturing. I attended three universities— Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, for my Bachelor’s degree; University of Ibadan, Oyo State, for my Master’s degree; and University of Southampton, UK, for my doctorate.
I became a lecturer at the University of Ilorin on September 1, 1978, and I worked from them till January 10, 2023, when I retired statutorily. I also taught for short periods in other universities such as University of Ibadan, University of Abuja, and Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Also, I worked as an external examiner in at least one university in almost every state in Nigeria.
What are some of the challenges you faced as a lecturer?
I cannot remember, but my generation had to wait for vacancies to be created before one could be promoted. In every department, only one chair (professor) was allowed when we started. I think the unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities, have been able to correct that anomaly. While four professors retired almost within 12 months, we left behind seven others (professors) in the same department.
What are your plans for life after retirement?
I am in my country home in Felele, Lokoja, Kogi State.
What do you consider to be your major contributions to the university?
I really don’t know. The university we met is different from the university we left. Today, religion is more pronounced when it comes to getting top posts. Young members of staff are now more concerned about administrative positions than lecturing and carrying out research.
What did you not enjoy about being a lecturer?
I don’t regret anything about being a lecturer.
What are the most memorable experiences you had with your students?
Those would be times when a student failed and changed courses, or even universities, and became a Second Class Upper or even First Class material. I witnessed a few of that. It taught me that one must never give up on any child, or on any challenge.
Aside from lecturing, what are your other areas of interest?
I like farming, and I am self-sufficient in meat, egg and vegetable production.
What advice do you have for lecturers and students you are leaving behind in the system?
I came across excellent students, who became colleagues. They are self-confident, and don’t need any further advice. They are all well trained; and I am not flattering them.
How do you like to dress?
I always like to appear casual and informal.
How do you relax?
I relax by farming, sleeping early, and walking around regularly.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
I really don’t know, because I feel very fulfilled, and I am thankful to God. Yes, things could have been better, but I am grateful for my modest career and family achievements.
Govt yet to recognise worth of lecturers — Prof Benjamin Oyejola
Why did you decide to pursue a career in academics?
Right from when I was in primary school, I had always loved Arithmetics and later Mathematics. That influenced my choice of subjects at the O and A levels. Subsequently, I applied to study Mathematics (with Chemistry as second choice) at the university. Statistics was part of mathematics during the first year then at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. However, in the second year, statistics became a course on its own. I chose statistics because, to me, it was less abstract and had many areas of application.
Tell us about your career.
I started my career as a graduate assistant at the Data Processing Unit of the Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on August 2, 1976. I rose to the rank of Research Fellow 1 in 1982. My duties included to advice researchers on design of experiments, as well as analysis and interpretation of results from such experiments. In 1986, I was offered employment as a senior lecturer in the Department of Statistics, University of Ilorin. I was appointed a Professor of Statistics in 1995. My areas of research include biometrics, design and analysis of experiments, as well as econometrics.
What are some of the significant things that stood out for you in the course of your career?
Computer and Information Technology has revolutionised what and how to teach. There were opportunities to interact with lecturers from other disciplines requesting for information on how to design and analyse data from their experiments. This often required studying concepts relating to those disciplines. The level of commitment of students to their studies has changed (lowered) drastically over the years.
What are some of the challenges you faced as a lecturer?
One major challenge was the astronomical increase in the number of students in class. It posed a challenge in the continuous assessment of students, as regards their levels of understanding and application of each topic.
How were you able to overcome those challenges?
I still gave a number of assignments and tests, but randomly selected students’ scripts to assess their levels of comprehension.
What significant legacy did you leave behind?
Some of the research findings of projects I jointly carried out with researchers from other disciplines have been recognised worldwide, and that improved the university’s rating.
What are your plans for life post-retirement?
I actually retired in February, 2022. Since then, I have been taking things one day at a time. I have decided not to take up any regular teaching appointment, but I have been involved in consultancies for colleagues, whom we had done some research together in the past. Most of those have been done for free.
As a professor of statistics, what were your greatest impacts on the university?
I was able to mentor up-and-coming colleagues. I also supervised a number of PhD students, and some of them have become professors or associate professors.
What was your greatest success as a lecturer?
Being able to impact lives.
What did you not enjoy about being a lecturer?
I generally enjoyed my career as a lecturer. The disturbing aspect is that the government is yet to recognise the worth of lecturers. For many years, a lecturer might not be able to go on leave, due to the unstable university calendar. Sometimes, the period of leave has to be used for research, which is a major component of assessment for promotion.
What were your most memorable moments as a lecturer?
Sometimes, I get to an office or a place, and I am approached by someone who says they were my former student. In such cases, what I thought would be difficult to achieve, would be done in a few minutes.
Aside from lecturingm what are your other areas of interest?
Statistical consulting was one major aspect of my career which I enjoyed. I carried out joint projects with researchers from several disciplines, including medicine, agriculture and biological sciences.
Research is another aspect, which a lecturer must be involved in. In the early days of my career, I was involved in both sole research, and research with other lecturers. However, in later years, the emphasis changed from lecturers to students. I also had opportunities, both nationally and internationally, to train members of staff on different aspects of statistics.
What is your advice to prospective lecturers?
Anyone who wants to be a lecturer must count the cost. They must weigh the opportunities against the challenges.
How do you like to dress?
It depends on the occasion, but I prefer wearing traditional attire.
How do you relax?
I enjoy reading, and watching some selected programmes on TV.
Imparting knowledge gives me joy — Prof Emmanuel Jolayemi
What were some of the significant experiences you had in the course of your career?
Interaction with students was also a mode of teaching, and I gained a lot from that. Aside from that, trying to carve a niche in my field was another highlight, and I thank God I was able to do that. My aim was to get to the highest level of my career, and I became a professor. I also served in various administrative capacities in the university. I was the head of the department for four years. I was also the Director of General Studies for three years. I was the chairman of the committee that established the petrol station for the university, and I served there for four years. I was also the director of establishment for various income generating sites.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in academics?
While growing up, the child practically had no input in choosing a career. It was whatever one’s father said that one would do. It is unlike now that one has to sit down and discuss with one’s children. My father said since he was a farmer, he wanted me to go into academics.
Take us through your career trajectory.
I will say God chose for me. I initially wanted to study Electrical Engineering when I was in secondary school. But, an old student came and told us about Industrial Chemistry, which was quite new in the country at the time. So, I changed from Electrical Engineering to Industrial Chemistry, with Building as my second choice. When the admission list was released, I was offered admission to study Industrial Chemistry, which I did not want. I only filled it because the old student told us it was a good course. I later found out that I didn’t have a good score in Chemistry. That made it imperative for me to change my course. As God would have it, I went to the Department of Mathematics and talked to them. They suggested that I should change to Mathematics, which I did. In Mathematics, there are three areas— Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. That was how I ended up studying Statistics. I went on to lecture for almost 45 years. I joined the University of Ilorin in 1977 after I observed the National Youth Service Corps scheme. In 1978, I travelled to the United States of America for my Master’s and PhD programmes. When I got back in 1982, I worked at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for four years before returning to UniIlorin.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a lecturer?
Students have different levels of understanding, and as a lecturer, one has to carry them all along. Initially, some students said I was above them, so I had to come down to their level. Then, some said I was too low. I always prayed for at least 80 per cent pass rate in my classes, and with that goal, there was no way one would not have to carry all students along at their different levels; both below and above.
How were you able to overcome those challenges?
I had an open door policy. I always told my students that if they did not understand anything I taught in class, they should seek my attention.
What significant impact did you make as a lecturer?
The establishment of the petrol station was a great impact. I was also the first person that brought textbooks into the general studies department, which stopped the issuance of handouts in the university in 2001.
What do you consider to be your greatest success as a lecturer?
I thank God I was able to get to the pinnacle of my profession at a relatively young age. What else do I want?
What are your plans for life after retirement?
First, I give God the glory that I was able to come this far. A person of about 70 years old should not be having lofty plans. One should just make oneself available for whatever comes, and do a lot of exercise. If you does not keep fit, one is practically killing oneself. It is unfortunate that Nigeria is the way it is. In other climes, when one retires, one travels the world. But, in Nigeria, one won’t even be paid one’s pension, and one will have to be looking for how to make money to survive.
What did you enjoy the most about being a lecturer?
I enjoyed imparting knowledge. It gave me a lot of joy. In the US where I did my Masters and PhD, I was offered the job of a teaching assistant because of my good grades. The university felt that the only way to bring in black people to study Mathematics was by allowing a black person teach the course, and that made me happy. So, I taught elementary statistics for about two and a half years.
What memorable experiences have you had with your students in the course of your career?
I have had very good students, who passed through me for their Master’s and doctoral degrees. Today, about four of them are professors. What more do I need?
Aside from lecturing, what are your other areas of interest?
My other area of interest is to use my field of study to help humanity. That is why I thank God I graduated in Biostatistics, where one sees a lot of data and results that are good for people to understand. It also gives me an edge in advising people, especially in medicine, because it helps to identify some social issues.
What is your advice to the lecturers and student you are leaving behind in the system?
The most important thing is that whatever God gives one to do, one should do it well. One might not be paid for it, but one will see the good in it.
How do you like to dress?
As a Yoruba man, my wife likes me putting on agbada. But, I also like wearing simple outfits.
How do you relax?
I enjoy watching television and staying home, because I’m an indoor person.
