The Vice Chancellor of Anchor University, Professor Samuel Bandele, tells BLESSING ENENAITE about his career, achievements and other issues
What inspired you to be an educationist?
It was by divine order. Inspiration is often said to be aspiration, but they are two different things. Aspiration is when one has an idea of what one wants to do. Inspiration is when someone is being led by God into a terrain they never thought of before. Being an educationist was not my initial plan. However, I have no regrets.
What are your roles as the VC of Anchor University?
My role is a universal one but it has some peculiarities, depending on the institution. As the VC of AU, I am the overall executive manager of the university. I am supposed to be the chief security officer and financial officer. In a nutshell, I am the head who provides leadership for every segment of the institution. Everything the university needs is my call. I respond fast to the purpose of the establishment of the university. I ensure that the objectives and fundamental reasons for establishing the university are fulfilled.
There is a difference between a public university and a private one. Even among private institutions, there is a difference between a faith-based private university and one which is not faith-based.
As the VC of AU, I have specific roles. First, I have to conform to the universal roles of a VC. Second, I have a proprietor (chancellor) who also has a vision for the university. I ensure that I perform my roles in a way that does not conflict with the intentions of the founder (chancellor) of the university.
AU has core values which do not conflict with the values of society. As a faith-based university, we emphasise on character, good behaviour, honesty and diligence. We are concerned that a child must not just come to our university and waste their lives. Neither should parents waste fees on their children.
Also, we ensure that the spiritual integrity of the church is preserved, even though the university is a universal environment. We allow our students to be free but we do not allow them to indulge in reckless behaviours. My role is to make sure we have a university that will be competitive and of high standard and will be competitive without conflicting with the intention of the chancellor of the university.
What are your achievements so far?
God has been helpful to me since I assumed office as the VC of this university on February 1, 2022. Before then, I was the VC of Ekiti State University, and I went into action immediately. I knew that the job of a VC is enormous. A VC cannot sit in a corner and point at another person as a failure. If there are issues in the school, it is VC that will be held responsible.
When I came on board, I knew I had to address issues that affect students and lecturers, and issues that will bring holistic growth to the university. I came in with a ‘Triple E Vision’. My Triple E Vision are the themes on which my achievements have been addressed. They include enrolment, enrichment and engagement.
In terms of enrolment, I have been continuing the admission process, which had been done before I came on board. I am happy that I have been able to achieve progress, by attracting more students than we had last year. I formed a publicity committee to ‘scout’ for students across the country.
We don’t have a lot of professional courses yet but I am working towards that, and I believe it will be achieved before the year runs out.
In terms of enrichment, I am also working to see that this university can function well without finance (from outside the school). It will be an illusion for any VC in a faith-based university to think that manna will fall from heaven or that the church will continue to pump money into the school.
Immediately I came on board, I started work in a business-like manner. I changed the cafeteria where the students have their meals. I have witnessed progress in that aspect. I have also upgraded the school’s supermarket, guest house and hostels. The power situation has also improved and we are targeting having uninterrupted power supply soon.
In the areas of staffing, I have improved their welfare, ensuring that they are comfortable while discharging their duties.
In terms of engagement, I have done that properly among the staff and students. I have sponsored the programmes of some members of staff. I have also created collaboration, locally and internationally, for the university. Since I came on board, my achievements have been significant.
What are the challenges you face in this office?
The challenges are the common ones in society. We have the challenges of unstable power supply. When power supply is not constant, it becomes an issue for us. Some students don’t feel comfortable not having consistent power supply. However, we are currently overcoming the challenge.
Another challenge is the unusual increase in the prices of items. For instance, when I came on board, we were buying diesel for N300 per litre. Presently, it is above N800. Funding is also a challenge. Parents that ought to pay their children’s school fees are also part of society. When the price of diesel is going up and companies are closing down, it affects the parents, and also directly affects the university.
We are also experiencing the challenge of enrolment but we trying to improve on it.
What are the elements that have brought you this far in your career?
First, I give God all the glory. If anyone will go far in life, there must be submission to a balanced life of godliness and hard work. I had a very humble beginning. I had a lot of hiccups on my way but I was able to overcome them. Some people should not be misled into just believing in God without doing what He asks us to do. There is a law of sowing and reaping. I was diligent in my studies. To really make it in life, one must be diligent. I graduated with a First Class in Mathematics at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State). God will help one to achieve progress in life when that person is hard-working and honest.
What is your career trajectory?
I started out as a primary school teacher in 1971/72. Then, I moved to a secondary school—Doherthy Memorial Grammar School. Both schools are in Ekiti State.
Thereafter, I gained admission into the university and bagged a Nigerian Certificate in Education. Later, I went to teachers’ training college in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, before rising to the position of the vice principal of a secondary school. Afterwards, I crossed to a college of education in Ikare, Ekiti, where I was a Mathematics lecturer. I left the place after I rose to the position of Lecturer 1. I moved to Ekiti State University and then, Ondo State University, in 1992. From being a lecturer 1, I rose to the position of a professor in OAU in 2001.
After I became a professor, I held a lot of positions. In 2007, I became the VC of the University of Science and Technology, Ikare, Ekiti.
After that, I became the VC of Ekiti State University, before I joined Anchor University.
What influenced your decision to move from the public sector to the private sector?
It will say it is providence. I never thought I would become the VC of AU. I felt that since I had been the VC of some universities before, I felt I had done enough.
I am a pastor and leader in the Deeper Life Bible Church (owners of Anchor University). I had my Master’s degree, Doctor of Philosophy and professorship as a member of the church. When the church was scouting for the VC of this university, I was contacted, but I initially declined. However, I am particular about service. I submitted to God’s will for me and I came for the interview.
Pastor William Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life, approved my appointment. I count my office as the VC of AU as my greatest honour. That is why I am here.
You had a first class degree in Mathematics. Did you feel special when you bagged that result?
I did not feel special but I truly felt good. I simply gave all the honour to God. I felt that God had done something great for me, and I had to commit my life to God to do great things for Him too.
These days, there is a popular saying among some youths that ‘school is scam’ because they have seen many people who went to school but are not successful. How do you think such notion can be corrected?
If school is scam, then what is success? Some people misuse words. If there are some degenerates in schools, it does not make school a scam. If education is scam, then people should try ignorance. We will know which of them is a scam. It is not school that is scam, it is people degenerating and going the wrong way that is the problem. If there is no school, the world will be very dark. Going to school enlightens one’s mind. It gives people the skills for survival. It helps one to know oneself and to be able to have a positive impact on society.
It becomes scam when school is coloured in fraudulent practices at low and high levels. Then, society becomes the loser. Some people who come out of school don’t know the worth of that experience. That makes people think the time they spent in school is not evident in their lives. This makes them to describe school as a scam.
The government has not also been doing enough. One can say that lack of good governance is a scam. This has caused the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, which has made students to be at home for months. The school and lecturers are there to work but they are not putting in their best because they are not getting the best to make the school to be a success like it was originally planned.
Standards in the education system are gradually dwindling, with many students out of school. Do you still think that education is the key to success?
Education will always be the key to success but that key may not be the master key. I see success in life as requiring a bunch of keys, and schooling is one of those keys. It is the foundation. There are also the keys of passion and spirituality. I have come to realise that the problem many people have is in them. By the time I was in the low level of my career, I used the key of spirituality, and I became a born-again Christian. Then, some of my friends mocked me that despite all my knowledge, I still wanted to dedicate my life to God totally.
I focused on my career (which blossomed) because outside Christ, one’s life remains in crisis. Assuming I did not accept Jesus into my life, I would have been a failure in life. I pity those who hold the wrong key to success.
In the past, some parents preferred sending their children to private universities to prevent them from being involved in risky behaviours. However, some students in private universities now exhibit such characters. What do you have to say concerning this?
It is because they are holding the wrong keys to success. I agree with you but that only makes them humans. Humans have their peculiar nature and characters. We also have our weaknesses and limitations, whether we are in private or public schools. That is where the emphasis on spirituality comes in but society is not ready for it. That is what is causing all these problems. We are presently talking about these activities in universities; what of other areas?
Until the government goes back to God, we will continue to face crisis because they keep deceiving those they are leading. People who are stealing N10,000 are being criticised more than those who steal N10bn. That is hypocrisy.
There are a lot of private universities in the country. What makes AU different from others?
We are uniquely different in some areas but we are not universally different. We are uniquely different because we are an offshoot of the belief of the founder of the school. At this university, we do not condone indiscipline. Our motto is character, competence and courage. We don’t allow our students to live frivolous lives.
AU is owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Do you welcome students who do not share the same belief with the church?
We don’t discriminate here.
What if the aspiring students’ dressing does not conform with that of the church?
Let me give an illustration. If one wants to enter the mosque or some churches, one must remove one’s shoes. If a man wants to enter the church, he has to remove his cap. If one has to join a society, there are rules and regulations to be obeyed. AU has its own rules and regulations. If one desires to enter this university, we show that person our rules and regulations. If the person is comfortable with the rules, then there is no problem. We have students from different faiths.
It has been said that some church-owned universities are not affordable for many of their members. Does the church subsidise fees for its members?
Who are those fighting for the church members? Have the church members complained to them? (laughs). It is just like people complaining that church members are paying tithes but they are using their money at palm wine joints. What is their problem? (laughs). Let individual members of the church handle the matter. It is not the business of anyone to speak on behalf of the church members. If there are issues within us, we resolve them. We are doing more to support the members. If we have our way, we will give the children of full time pastors scholarships.
AU is relatively young. What measures are being put in place to ensure that the school is sustained?
In the coming years, AU will be the Harvard University (in the United States of America) of this nation. In terms of structure, we can compete favourably with any university. We are striving for excellence in the coming years. We have collaboration with some countries, including Germany and the USA. We have great plans for the future. We are not going to compete blindly with any university. We are going to make ourselves unique by going international. With the programmes and plans that are already on the table, we are working towards making our university one of the best.
What measures do you take to discipline students who go against the school’s rules?
When I came on board, I decided to review some of these rules. We have punishments for rules that are violated by students. If it happens, they will first be given a warning. But, if they become serial offenders, they will be sent to the students’ disciplinary committee, which will give them a fair hearing. We don’t discipline students based on hear-say. There must be evidence of the offences that are committed.
As a faith-based university, we are here to refine the lives of the students. We are creating a system where we don’t have to drive away students. We want to see how we can help them. I gave my life to Christ while I was in the university. If I was not helped then, I will not be where I am now. We are going to create a scheme to mentor and help these students. We don’t call their misconducts criminality; we call it a violation of school rules. If the case is very critical, it can lead to suspension. If not, we can simply punish the offender.
Do your students participate in competitions outside the school?
Yes, they do. We have sports competition among departments in the school. There are also competitions among private schools which they participate in. They also participate in the Nigerian University Games Association. We have our men and women football teams.
How will you describe your relationship with Pastor Kumuyi?
We have a father and son relationship. Pastor Kumuyi is a unique holiness preacher. He is godly man who teaches his followers how to make it to heaven using his programme, Global Crusade with Kumuyi, to reach souls. He has lived a good and practical life without hypocrisy.
Some students engage in examination malpractices because they desire good grades. Do you see this trend ending anytime soon?
I don’t see an end to it. It is part of the problem in society. It is even worse because people are moving away from God, instead of moving close to Him. Cheating in an exam is just like corruption in government. If any student is caught involved in exam malpractice, that student will be punished.
In what ways can the government encourage the attitude of students towards education?
Government is recognised by God and the way they can help students is by doing things right. The system is there; they should allow it to function properly. All allocations meant for education should be used for exactly that purpose. Some countries give a higher percentage of their budget to education. More attention should be paid to education, in the federal, state and local government levels.
Do you have an alumni association where you keep track of your graduates?
We are still young and have only graduated one set of students. We are monitoring the students and they are doing fine. Once we have another set, we will create a directorate for that. They are still few. Hence, they are easy to monitor.
It has been said that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. However, it seems the tomorrow isn’t coming anytime soon. Do you think the youth are not doing enough to be made leaders or they are just being cheated by the present set of leaders?
It is both ways. The youths are not doing enough and the leaders are also not treating the youths well. The youths are not doing enough because they are still following the wrong ways of the leaders. Most of the comments of the youths about our leaders are theoretical.
Undergraduates are in town and the way I expect them to be handling issues is not the way they are handling it now. It is the youths that politicians will use as thugs to perpetrate election malpractices. The youths have the power to hold their ‘tomorrow’ but because those leading them know that they are blind and ignorant, they are playing on their intelligence.
When there is bad governance, it means the youths will also be bad because they are used for most of the crimes in the country. Let the youths also refine their minds and stay away from criminal activities. So, how will they handle power if they get it tomorrow?
The youths should rise up to uprightness and claim their future. They are not going to fight the leaders but they can wait till it is time for elections and decide that the future of this nation can be changed. Some of these youths are hypocrites because they are only after money. Once the politicians give them money, they will forget their agitation. When they need to choose the right leaders, they end up choosing money. Bad leaders are also the problem of this country as they have put this nation in debt.
In recent times, some youths have complained about societal pressure and how they are unable to achieve their goals due to one reason or the other. When you were younger, did the youths feel this way too?
When I was a youth, I was not in that terrain at all. I focused more on my studies while growing up. I did not belong to any club.
What are the things you know now that you wished you knew when you were much younger?
Experience has taught me many things. I would have preferred that I knew Christ earlier. I gave my life to Christ at the age of 29. When I was much younger, we had no mentor or counselor, and our courses were chosen haphazardly.
If I knew what I know now, I would have become a medical doctor.
What keeps you going?
My faith in God keeps me going. Whatever a person may be, there are rules of life that can dampen any soul. There can be temptations but with faith, one will be sustained.
How did you meet your wife and what are the qualities that endeared you to her?
I met my wife at a very young age. I was 23 years old and my wife was 19 years old. I admired her and I told my brother of my intentions. I was humble and we built our relationship. Our love grew and I proposed to her. We are both members of the church.
What are the things you do to maintain the love you have for each other?
I loved my wife at first sight. She is beautiful. Marriage involves compromising for each other. Anyone that wants to stand on his own will attract conflict to their marriage. We got married in 1983 and we are blessed with four children.
In what ways has your wife been supportive of your career?
She has always been supportive, and I have been helpful in her career too.
Are any of your children following your path in the education sector?
Yes. My only son is now a PhD holder. He is a lecturer in Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. He is also aspiring to be a professor like me.
What do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for the little I was able to do to help many people when I was a lecturer and PhD student. I did not collect any money from them for the help I rendered. I have helped people who have now become lecturers in universities. I want to be remembered for living a life of holiness. I have been VC of three universities and I worked with integrity.
Who are your biggest cheerleaders?
My spiritual cheerleader is Pastor Kumuyi, and my church state overseers, who have made impacts in my life. I also have some academic mentors and my family members who have been of immense support to me.
What are your memorable moments as the VC of AU?
Every day is memorable for me. I was elated the day I resumed as the VC of AU, despite refusing to accept the position initially. When I came here, I realised that it was an assignment for me to take. Accepting the offer was quite memorable for me.
How do you balance work and family?
I balance my work and my family by carrying my wife along anywhere I am working. She is a businesswoman and we are always together.
How do you unwind?
I love to watch movies.