By Abubakar Imam
The third Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Murtala Tunde Balogun, has called for greater cooperation among the academic and non-teaching staff members of Nigerian universities in order to facilitate better management of the institutions.
Mr Balogun, who served as Registrar and Secretary to the University Governing Council between 1998 and 2003, made this plea last Monday (October 27, 2025) while featuring on ‘Countdown to UNILORIN @ 50’, a special personality interview programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, which is dedicated to the celebration of the upcoming anniversary.
The former Registrar said that no university or institution of higher learning will achieve its essence in the absence of effective synergy between the two groups of staff.
Mr Balogun, who recalled several challenging episodes during his days in office to justify his position, said that if there was no cooperation between the two groups the challenges encountered by the University could have threatened its survival.
He noted that students and other stakeholders are bound to suffer when teachers and administrators do not work together in the interests of the University.
Speaking on other issues, Mr Balogun encouraged stakeholders to ensure that universities are properly funded for them to achieve their corporate objectives.
While saying that poor funding is inimical to proper running of universities, the renowned administrator said that the tendency of turning universities to glorified secondary schools should be resisted as he said that it could lead to attenuation of the essence of university education.
Mr Balogun, who is a member of the pioneer staff of the University, said that he was always delighted that the University has grown to become one of the most respected and admired institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.
The former Registrar said that the Golden Jubilee of the University deserves to be celebrated, pointing out that doing so is a way of thanking God for His mercies.
He added that those who know the history of the University and how it started would agree with him that the journey of the University so far needed to be celebrated.
Mr Balogun, who is also the pioneer Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, enjoined the authorities of the University to ensure that entrepreneurs are swiftly engaged to make meaningful use of its expansive landmass for agricultural and other economic uses.
The former Registrar also said that he was happy that most of those that were recruited during his time as Registrar of the University are now holding important positions in the institution and helping to raise its flag higher.
On what he wanted the future of the University to look like, Mr Balogun, who is now in his early 80s, expressed the hope that the University will become more internationalised as it advances in age.
Mr Balogun said that a University that is only peopled by its products and their colleagues from nearby institutions as teachers and administrators does not deserve to be called a University because a good University must be universal in its student enrolment, staff recruitment and general orientations.
While affirming the fact that the University of Ilorin has always been known for peace, the former Registrar advised its leadership to ensure that no effort is spared at ensuring that the peace of the University is maintained.
