• Membership
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
Sunday, June 1, 2025
The Trumpet Newspaper Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Headlines
    • Metro
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Ecommerce
    • Economy
    • Start-up
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Religion
    • Columnists
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
  • Global
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Tourism
    • Technology
    • Weather
    • Social Media
  • e-Edition
  • Home
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Headlines
    • Metro
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Ecommerce
    • Economy
    • Start-up
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Religion
    • Columnists
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
  • Global
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Tourism
    • Technology
    • Weather
    • Social Media
  • e-Edition
No Result
View All Result
The Trumpet Newspaper Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Opinion

“Professor” Title should Celebrate Academic Achievement NOT a Tag Reserved for Aging in a University

The Trumpet Nigeria by The Trumpet Nigeria
July 5, 2022
in Opinion
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
“Professor” Title should Celebrate Academic Achievement NOT a Tag Reserved for Aging in a University

Aliyu Mohammed Paiko is a Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry & Biotechnology, IBBUL

0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on WhatsAppShare on Pinterest

By Aliyu Mohammed Paiko

If one has been following the metamorphosis of developments in Academia globally, it is easy to observe that Universities (I mean those who know what that edifice was created to achieve) started as ordinary centres for teaching (spreading knowledge about known concepts to students) with some research. Gradually, research gained momentum and focus moved to applications of knowledge learned to deepen and widen research because some earlier concepts were challenged and modified to establish better understanding of older concepts or discovery of newer ones.

ADVERTISEMENT

As research widened and deepened, competition commenced among universities that sometimes, led to unhealthy rivalries that were, often, not in the true and best interests of learning or for the good of the community as it were. Enter collaboration, partnerships, synergy, multi disciplinary thinking. With this development, researchers of different universities working on same concepts but approaching from different perspectives started working together. By this time, research was without borders of disciplines, nationhood or procedures. It is all about the concept in focus, to address particular challenges or explain/overcome strange or difficult phenomena.

Moreover, it didn’t matter much anymore what one knew; It mattered more how one used what they knew to address a challenge, discover a pathway to solutions to make society better. Because of this, those older knowledge holders who had stagnated with old knowledge, watched helplessly as those who were more concerned to apply new knowledge from research to address community challenges became more popular (publication, citations), became “richer” (patents, commercial products, Grant funding) and got appointed into policy positions to change society (professorial chairs, Government institutes, Grant administrators).

Eventually, it is only obvious that what the old knowledge holders have left is the NAME. It is thus, this group of academics that shout the loudest when someone else is appointed to bear “their name” because what they are protesting against is what they have left in the title PROFESSOR.

To protect it therefore, they are not willing to sit and watch the procedure leading up to earning that title changed, amended (teach in the university for 12-20 years, earn paltry salary with all thanks to ASUU, go on strikes annually, publish trash, grow grey hairs). Any attempt otherwise, they interpret as attempts to compromise or sabotage the system of earning the title belonging to aged Teachers. If not this, I want someone to explain to me what is wrong in the appointment of Isa Ibrahim Pantami as Professor by FUTO, considering recent best practices elsewhere?

All across the globe, including our colonial masters that helped us establish our first university, the procedure for becoming Professor has changed to celebrate Academic excellence by appointing those deserving. And academic excellence does not imply teaching in the university alone (one needs to visit and marvel at how MIT, one of the, if not the most successful University in terms of Academia-industry-government collaboration has become a success).

READ ALSO: Ritual killings in Nigeria

Meanwhile, the curriculum we operate is obsolete (I just learned that NUC is abandoning BMAS for a newly revised CCMAS that will soon make its debut in our Universities), most of our equipment are dysfunctional, old or obsolete, thus the research we carry out that is used to publish papers for promotion is often fraudulent (conditions of promotion to certain positions in some universities still accept 20-40% of publication as acceptance letters, which are purchased from Editors by mere phone calls).

Even our undergraduate students don’t read some of our publications. The collaboration some of our institutions have are mere expressions on paper, or at best, to access travel fellowships, participate in grants sharing bazaar as African representatives or to compile evidence that we visited other institutes just to justify the estacodes spent, with pictures to support.

Elsewhere, people who never taught in universities but have something tangible to share to students in universities are appointed as Professors. Collaboration between Academia, industry and Government has permitted the appointment of excellent and experienced professionals from industry or Government as Visiting Professors and the community has benefitted immensely with products and services that have changed lives, making the world a better place. Young people, as young as 9years have been identified with supersonic skills and given the title Professor and the earth has not stopped its revolution; their skills are being tapped.

We need to come out of our tiny shells and cocoons and play like a global actor not local champions. After all, products from those other economies that recognise industry experts as Professors are in our markets and we do not discriminate against them for being products of people not worthy to be Professors. In fact, we even have no choice or alternatives than to use them. So if products from such arrangements are good for us to use, why don’t we also promote such practices in the hope that they may lead to our own products?

I think that as professionals, our interest should always be best global practices. We cannot want change and also refuse to change or resist changes.

Academia is where change ought to begin, but here we are celebrating mediocrity in needless debates over titles.

Aliyu Mohammed Paiko is a Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry & Biotechnology, IBBUL.

Tags: Academic AchievementEducationMinister Isa Ibrahim PantamiprofessorUniversity
Previous Post

Priest Sentenced to 12years in Prison for Sexual Abuse

Next Post

Inter Milan fail to capitalise on AC Milan’s draw

The Trumpet Nigeria

The Trumpet Nigeria

Next Post
Inter Milan fail to capitalise on AC Milan's draw

Inter Milan fail to capitalise on AC Milan's draw

About The Trumpet

The Trumpet is a Nigerian based national news media, owned, trademarked and operated by Elomaz Communications Limited with headquarters in FCT-Abuja and regional offices in Lagos and Delta States

Follow Us

Resources

  • Home
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Headlines
    • Metro
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Ecommerce
    • Economy
    • Start-up
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Religion
    • Columnists
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
  • Global
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Tourism
    • Technology
    • Weather
    • Social Media
  • e-Edition

Recent News

LinkedIn lays off 281 employees across California as Microsoft’s AI strategy reshapes workforce

LinkedIn lays off 281 employees across California as Microsoft’s AI strategy reshapes workforce

May 31, 2025
Delta polytechnic rector urges 53,432 graduands on being institution's loyal ambassadors

Delta polytechnic rector urges 53,432 graduands on being institution’s loyal ambassadors

May 31, 2025
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact us
  • About Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© 2025 The Trumpet News Papers - Developed by VIS Nigeria.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Headlines
    • Metro
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Ecommerce
    • Economy
    • Start-up
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Religion
    • Columnists
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
  • Global
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Tourism
    • Technology
    • Weather
    • Social Media
  • e-Edition

© 2025 The Trumpet News Papers - Developed by VIS Nigeria.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version
Verified by MonsterInsights