By Pelumi King
The University of Ibadan is known for its exploits in academics. They have always prided in this fact. It can be seen on their various social media platforms and their websites. The University of Ibadan even publishes the achievements in national newspapers and dallies. Their aim to even achieve more academic exploits can be said to be the reason that the University of Ibadan’s admission process is one of the most stringent admission processes in Nigeria. They say they make it so to best out of the students from the candidates who applied for admissions. The students of the University of Ibadan are not much different. A sizeable number of them are much interested in academics as they should be, not many of them attend social events. This can be seen in the somewhat low attendance of students to social events, the low attendance does not apply in all cases. The real question now is; is the bookish nature of UI and her students stunting the growth of UI students?
Before, these factors, the environment, the characteristics of students and lecturers. First off, the environment, the environment is the University of Ibadan. It has been slightly analysed in the first paragraph. Is the University of Ibadan a social school? No, University of Ibadan is not. This does not however mean that the University of Ibadan does not support social events. They very much do and encourage it. The No implies the University of Ibadan encourages more of or pays too much attention to academic events or academic performances than social ones. That’s why many assignments from them are impromptu and projects with sometimes no consideration for the social lives of students from some lecturers. Many students are even afraid to give attending social events as an excuse for fear of being tagged unserious.
The characteristics of students and lecturers are another factor. What are the characteristics of University of Ibadan students and lecturers to the entertainment sector of UI? Starting from the lecturers, most of the lecturers’ attitude to the entertainment sector is somewhat nonchalant, that it is not something they are not interested in. The nonchalant nature of the lecturers caused by the bookish nature they have can be said to be the reason they do not put the artists and their careers into consideration when doling out many assignments and giving out impromptu tests. UI artists have to struggle with maintaining their careers and deal with the enormous workload that they have. The students’ attitude also appears to be nonchalant. It is very hard to get a UI student to repost an album, an EP, or a song. Most times, only their friends and people who know them share their songs or information about their songs.
Looking in from the angle of events, they are hardly supported at events. Some UI students sometimes boo them off the stage. This problem is not however just limited to the bookish nature. The bookish nature also affects in the sense that the only way UItes get to know about these artists is only at these social events ie. Gyration, fun fare, etc. The bookish nature UItes does not allow them to focus on these artists.
From these two factors, it can be seen the bookish nature that the University of Ibadan and her students have stunted the growth of UI artists. While still acknowledging that academics are still the primary purpose of any student and lecturers in the University of Ibadan, the students and lecturers should give more attention to the budding artists we have as other schools do. The University of Lagos, University of Benin, Lagos state university promote their artists well. That is why many successful artists are coming from these universities. Bella Schmurda, Lilkesh, YCEE to name a few came from these universities. Giving them more attention will not in any way hamper academic pursuits.
This article is not in any way a criticism of any arm or anybody. It is a call to action. There are many budding and talented artists that deserve more recognition, applause, and attention. Giving them more attention and giving them more hype will surely open them up to bigger opportunities that will help them in their careers. Their growth is our growth. They succeeding in their endeavours will also be a big plus to the University of Ibadan as it will show that the University of Ibadan is not only successful in the academic field alone but also in other areas. UI artists should also try to be more creative and resourceful. When faced with difficult circumstances, creativity and resourcefulness are very key. They should look for ways to getting the best of the environment they are in and the best out of the students and lecturers as regards their careers.
Yes, the University of Ibadan and her student are bookish. Yes, it has stunted the growth of UI artists. However, with a change in mentality and more creativity and resourcefulness, it can be changed.
