Women Academics From Nigeria

"We can make Education more attractive through our application of technology and Information Communication Technology in the learning curricula."

"The award of the honorary Doctorate Degree in Political Science to Chief Obasanjo was a unanimous decision of the TASUED’s Governing Council."

"My focus on Benin history as it pertains the looting of its priced sacred objects began after two major international events I attended- first was the Benin travelling exhibition, “Benin Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria” which was shown in Vienna, Paris, Berlin and Chicago between 2007 and 2009. I attended the opening and close of the exhibition in Vienna and Chicago. When I returned, I began to think of ways of engaging theme of looting patrimony and what it means for Nigeria in this global discourse on art. My exhibition titled, “Benin 1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question” (2010) emerged. I will consider this one of my most successful projects and a major contribution to documenting local art traditions and projecting the views of a colonised people deprived of their art on various platforms."

"When people know that you're living to please God, they will respect your stand. There are certain things your boss won't ask you to do because He knows who you are."

"The University of Lagos administration has been very receptive to suggestions. My proposal for the establishment of an arts and crafts Centre funded by TETFund was given priority by the university management. This concept when accomplished will invariably bring together students of different departments to learn skills that interface with the arts and help with job creation after school."

"This is the era of interdisciplinary research. There must be a collapse of boundaries between disciplines. As an artist trained in metalworking, I am conversant with metal casting processes- working with non-ferrous metals like copper and its alloys, gold and silver. I also use centrifugal casting systems, lost wax, sand casting methods in my work."

"We must address the socialisation process that gives less worth to the girl-child. Our society from birth has conferred a subordinate role on the girl-child. We must also address equity more than equality. This will provide a ladder for women to succeed."

"There were lots of challenges. There were days when I didn’t have money; days when my school fees were delayed. I didn’t have a lot of things that my mates had but I knew I was going to have them one day as I knew that with God on my side, I was going to work hard and ensure that those things I didn’t have then, I could have them when working so I got stuck to school."

"Over a three year period, I fostered links between a private NGO- Omooba Yemisi Shyllon Foundation and the University of Lagos in training over 1000 students from about 22 universities in art-based workshops under the headship of Professor Duro Oni. This is in addition to the U.S. sponsored workshops by Brett Cook from which the collaborative mural evolved. We once enjoyed the establishment of an arts’ gallery located close to the lagoon front by the botanical gardens. This was a great place for the university community and visitors to come enjoy the creative expressions of students of Creative arts- theatre, music and visual arts."

"There is a lot one can do with science students as this aspect of the arts lies very much in the domain of sciences. The arts and sciences interface in ways that we are yet to fully enjoy the benefits of such synergy. While my considerations may be aesthetically inclined, a student of science could tap into this expertise of an artist working in a familiar terrain. Students of engineering and chemistry can interact with the ceramics unit of the Department of Creative Arts in mould making, working with refractory bodies and compounding glazes from local resources. The same applies to the arts and architecture; both are two sides of a coin."

"You know when the hand shake is going beyond the elbow between a person in position of authority and a person at a lower position and it has sexual motive, that is sexual harassment."

"I was born over 58 years ago to an average family, my father was a teacher and my mother worked in the hospital. I was born in Ile Ogbo, Osun State."

"I can only speak of my own experience as a teacher who has worked in at least three universities in Nigeria. At the University of Lagos, I have only added my bricks to those of others who were there before me. Working with a team of committed staff as we have at Unilag has helped make changes to our art department. Also important is the support we get from committed friends within the art community."

"We are going to take punitive measures against these teachers and give a voice to students."

"The renowned artist Demas Nwoko has proven the unique link between art and architect in his impressive oeuvre of works. There is a huge potential for tourism using the arts. Universities can benefit immensely from increased revenue with the expertise that the visual art portends. Art students are trained not to be seekers of employment but employers of labour, and by the time they graduate, they have a good understanding of what art and entrepreneurship means. The Department of Creative Arts has helped transform the cultural life of the university by organizing amazing music and theatre performances and also changing the landscape with sculptures. There is more that can be achieved."

"My lectures and engagement in the last two months have helped foster better understanding of art from a non-European background. It has also expanded my understanding of knowledge practices in the arts. Next year promises better opportunities. As a recipient of the Raw Residency at Rhodes University in South Africa, I will be involved with creating a new body of art works. I am excited about this residency because of its unique structure. I will be working with a writer who would engage my artistic production in a literary form, while I do my own work."

"Sexual harassment is a no go area for both the students and lecturers of this noble institution. We will not tolerate such attitude. We will not in any way cooperate with the harassers and we are going to make sure that we invoke all regulations in the university against sexual harassment."

"Women in leadership need to be prepared for challenges. Also, other women in leadership need to mentor younger women so as to prepare them for leadership. Leadership is not easy for a woman."

"If education should be salvaged in this country we cannot leave it to the government alone. There has to be an inclusion of the private sector. The central and important role the University of Lagos plays in the art-charged city of Lagos makes it possible to attract private/public partnership in art training."

"In some rural areas, parents withdraw girls from schools when they reach a certain age because they are afraid they will have to have relations with teachers."

"Today, there are very poor facilities for teaching art in almost all art schools in Nigeria. How do you teach art adequately without models for drawing or painting, or teach ceramics without at least one kiln or run an art school without a proper gallery? Today, there are no technical staff for studio operations or basic furniture in many art schools. I can say this confidently because I have been to almost all the art schools in Nigeria."

"At Uniben, the university employed guild casters from Igun street as studio hands to assist students with bronze casting projects. Establishing an art school requires a whole lot of equipment and facilities, purpose built studios with proper ventilation, proper staffing and lots of space. In many of the art schools I have been to in the West, they constantly change their equipment to the most up-to-date facilities to catch up with modern trends in the world of art. The availability of materials and opportunities that their students have sometimes makes one green with envy. I look forward to such a time."

"Teachers should be trained and retrained. This should be done regularly. If teachers who are key factors in schools are left out, then we should not expect that pupils would perform very well."

"If you don’t train and retrain teachers, education will continue to be comatose; students will continue to fail woefully and development may not be possible."

"There are several challenges facing education generally in Nigeria. There has been a steady decline in standards in the visual arts, as in other disciplines. These problems are multifarious and overwhelming! At the University of Benin art school, graduates of the college up till 1988 continued to speak glowingly about the crop of seasoned lecturers we had- Pa Omo Osagie, Osi Audu, Iro Eweka, Ademola Williams, Sammy Laye, Kweku Mensah, Akpo Teye, Ademola Williams, Emmanuel Ifeta, Irma Francis, Mr. Onemu, Norman Rosen etc. As students, the university provided materials for our art projects and we had great facilities and adequate studio spaces."

"There is also a general lack of understanding about the requirements for the visual arts. Lecturers are saddled with teaching so many courses because of the inadequate staff establishment positions assigned the profession. The poor remuneration of staff in Nigeria does not attract the very best. Any artist with a vibrant studio practice will not accept positions in a university where the salaries are poor."

"Therefore, in honouring Professor Emerita Odejide, this is also a platform for lecturers to present their researches and papers."

"Today, I come across a lot of youth telling me they are inspired by my life. As a female artist, I must continue to provide hope for younger females who are in search of role models particularly in a profession that has been male dominated for a long time. There are a lot of people, both male and female looking up to me for counsel and I realise that this is an enormous task. I teach them that there is a lot that can be achieved through passion, sheer hard work and dedication."

"But this is also a privilege I have enjoyed from others. I have had great mentors-Professor Irein Wangboje who employed me at the University of Benin; Professor Cornelius Adepegba, who was my doctoral supervisor at the University of Ibadan. Both of them died early in my career. God provided others who stood in the gap."

"Her achievements are significant by all standards, and her simple approach to life is what draws many people to her."

"So, many times, universities are made to hire from the choices available, which may not necessarily be from amongst the very best. There is also the issue of assessment of staff for promotion, where premium is placed on the number of published papers and not necessarily the quality of the artist’s intellectual and artistic output. On the part of the students, a lot of them did not opt to study art. Their marks could not qualify them to study law or some other courses so they end up studying art. Therefore, in more than half of their school years they are distracted and wondering about the fate that has befallen them."

"Although Professor Emerita Odejide retired in 2011, but she continued supervising students in her department – Communication and Language Arts."

"A nation with a large number of uneducated citizens cannot develop. Education is the foundation for development."

"At the University of Lagos, I was employed under the headship of Professor S. Adetoro whose sense of discipline was one to emulate. While some others may not have taught me, they have been able to support my career at various times- Professors Ola Oloidi, Abayomi Barber, Dele Jegede, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Rom Kalilu. The University of Lagos has been a great place of service. It has provided a conducive platform for expanding my creative capabilities and has given the necessary support for the growth of my profession. However, there have been challenges in my fairly long career as a teacher."

"In fact, she is a woman of many firsts, including being the first professor of children’s literature, and the first female deputy vice chancellor."

"Well, when I began teaching at the University of Benin, I was only 24 years old and fresh from University of Ibadan graduate school. I was very hopeful and ready to make my own contribution to society. In 1991, teaching was certainly not an attractive profession for a young girl."

"First of all, teachers were very poorly paid just as they are today. As the best graduating student in 1988, the University of Benin retained me. So teaching came to me by default even before I could make up my mind about what profession to do. At that time, I was much younger than many of my students and had to step up my game to assert my authority. But looking back now, I can count my blessings."

"Of course, I faced opposition. The first time I ran (for the office), I lost by a few votes because I ran against a man. During the campaign, because I had to go round the faculties and talk to individuals, people asked me who would look after my home if I became the DVC and were in top management."

"She worked so hard when she was the deputy vice chancellor during my tenure as vice chancellor, and I am happy that her ex-students appreciate her contributions to their development."

"This year long project is funded from the U.S. Consulate Small Grant 2017. To commemorate thirteen years of community service, we had a series of free workshops from 13-17 December, 2017 based on silk painting, tie and dye, general crafts, painting and ceramics for adults and children. Come Next year, we will host students of tertiary education various arts, crafts and history classes."

"Rising to become a full professor of the visual arts at the University of Lagos bestows upon me added responsibilities. It has given me the unique opportunity of shaping lives. Many of my students have become really successful artists, some now professors in their various institutions and are able to hold their own – a few of them whom I am very proud of, and taught at either undergraduate and post graduate levels are Jude Anogwih, Tobenna Okwuosa, Nelson Edewor, George Edozie, Jelili Atiku, Bolaji Ogunwo, Ganiyu Jimoh and Alao Lukman."

"I am happy that some of my former students are also professors now."

"There can’t be remarkable improvement in change in attitudinal behaviour of the people without education. Education is an effective instrument for positive change."

"I was the first born of the family and was dearly loved by my grandparents and my mum. It was like a punishment but I knew that was the way out for me."

"Discipline was a major thing in our home, especially from my mum; she just didn’t take any nonsense. She was a loving person but liked people to be punctual, do whatever was assigned to them on time and without excuses. I think that must have rubbed off on my siblings and me."

"But my teaching is not limited to university students. I have straddled different categories and classes of people within the society. I have taught pupils and secondary school students, illiterates, barbers, mechanics, tailors, petty traders and welders, masons who need rudimentary skills in the arts to earn a decent living at community based workshops. In both spaces, I have had great fulfilment."

"Students of art are so engrossed in practical work to the detriment of research. Art books no longer have the appeal they had. The Internet seems to have replaced books as students prefer to cut and paste information gathered from Wikipedia and dictionaries. Hardly do they have critical engagement with resources that would help them develop a language of their own. The craze to acquire degrees without the attendant rigour is overwhelming. The few students that excel by trying to beat these odds give us hope to remain in this profession."

"I was ready for retirement. I loved the job, the students and liked interacting with them, though they may have said other things. I loved challenging them to be their best. Before retirement came, I was mentally prepared for it. I had also managed my resources carefully so that it would not be a major shock financially."

"A scholar par excellence, mentor, administrator and mother."

"COVID19 has created deep uncertainty in nearly almost all aspects of daily life.. It is possible that one can even benefit from interacting and brainstorming with others over the phone, but awesome creative work can be achieved by shutting out the outside world."