The Association of Nigerian Professors (ANP) was inaugurated on the 22nd of March 2007 during her maiden conference which took place at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Maitama, Abuja. The opening ceremony was attended by the Hon. Minister of Education, The Executive Secretary of National University Commission (NUC), The Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education Commission (UBE), Book Publishers AND Representatives from the Mass Media.
The need for Professors to further play leading roles in the activities of Universities in Nigeria through an Association is long overdue. Consequently, following are some of the objectives formulated to guide the Association (ANP):
1. to uphold academic principles and assist Vice-Chancellors in the promotion of good scholarship and maintenance of academic discipline in all respects in our tertiary institutions of learning.
2. to research, debate and proffer solutions for problematic national issues.
3. to provide able leadership in the university system that may usher in unity, peace and harmony in the university campuses.
4. to get lecturers involved in active teaching and research in order to curtail anti-social activities in the universities.
In addition, the Constitution (made up of 16 Articles) is already in place. A communiqué was sent to Federal Ministry of Education, National University Commission, Universal Basic Education and the Press. An important aspect of the communiqué is that:
Vice-Chancellors in all the eighty-nine (89) Universities in Nigeria (Federal, State and Private) are kindly requested to appoint institutional co-ordinators. Such co-ordinators will establish a branch of the Association in each of the various institutions so that the Vice-Chancellor can give the necessary supports.
Professors from five geo-political zones attended the Inaugural Conference and zonal co-ordinators were elected as follows:
- South-South: Prof. Spenser Efem, University of Calabar
- South-West: Prof. B.O. Duyilemi, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State
- South-East: Prof. A. Agu, University of Nigeria, Nzukka
- North-East: Prof. B.S.H. Womboh, Federal University of Technology, Yola
- North-Central: Prof. D.V. Uza, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
- Federal Capital Territory: Prof. S.O. Anyanwu, University of Abuja
- North-West: Nil
Also, an interim Executive was constituted and is made up of the following officers
PRESIDENT: Prof. Spencer Efem, University of Calabar
VICE PRESIDENT: Prof. B.S.H. Womboh, Federal University of Technology, Yola
SECRETARY: Prof. Akon E.O. Esu, University of Calabar
TREASURER: Prof. B.O. Duyilemi, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State
FIN. SEC: Prof. M.A. Madusolumuo, Federal University of Technology, Yola
PRO: Prof. Emeka Okoli, Raybourne & Dean Consulting
Members of the Executive thereafter paid courtesy call on the Executive Secretary, N.U.C., Prof. Julius A. Okojie and a similar notice has been delivered in Aso Rock to the President, His Excellency, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, so as to intimate him with the activities of the Association of Nigerian Professors (ANP).
Membership and Fees:
1. Membership is COMPULSORY for all Professors (both serving and retired). It is therefore, very important to be registered, at least for institutional and individual recognition.
2. A list of Professors (serving and retired) is to be compiled for each University and sent through the Local Chapter to the National Headquarters through the Zonal Co-ordinators.
3. Registration fee is N2,000 and this is to be paid once while. Monthly due is, N2,000 per member.
The next General Meeting of the Association (ANP) has been scheduled to hold in Abuja on 27th September, 2007 and at a time yet to be announced.
UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
