How ethnic tension affected Eni Njoku, first ever Vice Chancellor of UNILAG in 1965

So it happened that Eni Njoku became the first ever Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos in 1962 after the institution was established. But his replacement with a Yoruba man in 1965 didn’t go down well with the students and many staff as it fuelled allegations of ethnicity and politics.

By 1965, serious political and ethnic tensions had begun to creep into university affairs following Nigeria’s wider political divisions at the time. By this time, his initial 3-year term as Vice-Chancellor ended. He was widely respected for his academic background, integrity, and calm leadership.

The University Council was divided on whether to renew his appointment. Although Njoku had significant support from students and many staff members, a group within the council opposed his reappointment.

Then, the Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, became involved in the decision. In the end, Dr. Saburi Biobaku was appointed Vice-Chancellor instead of Njoku.

Many people viewed this as politically motivated, alleg!ng ethnic bias at a time of serious political rivalry.

Staff and student demonstrations, massive ones, erupted in Lagos over what they called an injustice and ethnic discr!m!nat!on against Njoku. University activities were disrupted, and the government had to intervene to restore order.

Following the incident, Professor Eni Njoku resigned from UNILAG, left gracefully and refused to fuel ethnic division. His departure was widely regretted by students and academics who admired his fairness and scholarship.

In 1966, he got an appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he led the institution through the Nigerian Civil Wār (1967–1970). He passed away on December 22, 1974. He was 57 years old.

Njoku, born on November 6, 1917, was a distinguished Nigerian botanist, one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars and one of the earliest Nigerians to earn a PhD in Botany.

In 1948, he became a lecturer at the University College, Ibadan, became a Professor of Botany in 1956 and was appointed VC of UNILAG in 1960.

Credit: Ethnic African Stories