Toyin Falola
Like the storytelling acumen of Achebe, which pats the minds of readers, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi’s memoir, Not a Walk in the Park, reflects a robust account of university leadership within the complex geography of Nigeria’s higher education history. With its unique narrative technique, the book is a chronicle of the author’s sojourn from being an academic historian to attaining the position of a university Vice-Chancellor.
From the title, the readers are already introduced to the challenges (institutional, political, and social) in the Nigerian higher education scene. Oftentimes, writers write autobiographies to celebrate themselves, but Akinwumi frames his as a documentary and an attempt to be a custodian of the history that accompanies his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja. His narrative reveals the realities behind academic leadership, the politics of appointments, funding issues, and the constant balancing of academic ideals with bureaucratic realities. Akinwumi’s attempt to contribute to a neglected genre in Nigerian literature and scholarship is a success, as his memoir exposes the administrative sides of universities.
One of the core strengths of the book is in its systematic and sequential construction of the author’s academic journey before he assumed the highest office at Federal University, Lokoja. The early chapters of the book trace his later successes to his humble beginnings following his return to Nigeria after some years in Germany. His appointment at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was a defining moment in his life and contributed handsomely to the administrative philosophy that later defined his vice-chancellorship. The book also details his gradual metamorphosis in academia, occupying positions such as the Head of Department, Dean, Director, and eventually Deputy Vice-Chancellor, where he learned the ropes of university governance. His story is a testament that there is no accidental success. To him, success is only achieved after years of hard labor.
Besides the typical “grass-to-grace” story that many memoirs tell, a predominant theme that emerges in Not a Walk in the Park is the chaotic environment that surrounds the author’s assumption of the office of the Vice-Chancellor. According to the memoir, a stereotype that exists within Nigerian society is that leadership processes are rarely smooth or meritocratic. Akinwumi himself was not shy to recount how his appointment was surrounded by intense institutional politics and pressure, petitions, and ethnic tensions that attempted to undermine his legitimacy. His resumption of office was what he tagged a “baptism of fire,” facing resistance from stakeholders and protests against key administrative decisions. His insistence on relocating the university’s activities from the makeshift campus to the institution’s permanent site became a germane issue at the time. Nonetheless, Akinwumi’s tireless confidence, which asserts that daring feats call for daring steps, prompted his desire to be firm in his words. His resolve to continue with the relocation can be considered an allegory for his agility to develop, despite intimidation.
If there is anything we can take away from Akinwumi’s dexterity and competence as an administrator, then it is certainly his nerve for growth and accountability. Through the rough seas that defined his selection process, he designed a master plan for an internationally recognized university from scratch. The memoirs show the efforts that were put in place by his administration to expand the infrastructural base of the university, expand the curriculum, and consolidate stability. These are his pillars, and perhaps, his strengths for successfully managing a university. The relocation of the university to a permanent site is one of the greatest achievements in his career. The efforts to finance the relocation, manage the construction projects, and liaise with the relevant federal agencies responsible for managing the affairs of tertiary institutions.
Apart from these, Not a Walk in the Park also discusses leadership in terms of its human interface. Akinwumi discusses how complex relationships contribute to the university’s daily activities, such as relationships with students, staff, government officials, and even the host community where the university is located. This must be skillfully navigated with diplomatic means to ease tension. The book explores instances of unrest among students, staff, and sometimes government officials, which tested his leadership skills as a university Vice-Chancellor. This, in a sense, is a pointer that the office of the Vice-Chancellor, which Akinwumi himself once held, is not just about paperwork, but is also about emotional intelligence, patience, and even mediating conflicting interests in a diverse academic community. While not praising his leadership skills and competence, the book is a recognition of the importance of teamwork in sustaining growth, as Akinwumi never fails to give credit to other staff members, officials, and even staff of the university who helped sustain peace in the university during tumultuous times.
These experiences as a Vice-Chancellor gave Akinwumi the opportunity to view the Nigerian society through a microscope. He describes that the Nigerian universities can be regarded as a microcosm of Nigerian society. The author reveals that leadership can be affected by the larger systemic realities that influence the performance of any institution. The author further reveals that the success story of a Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria does not only depend on the vision he has, but also depends on the capability that he has to effectively work with the federal regulatory bodies that dictate the functioning of institutions in Nigeria. In this regard, the book has given further information on how the important contributions that the commissions make in Nigeria influence the functioning of universities in regulating academic programs, the creation of new departments, and many other aspects. The author advises that in a country like Nigeria, where policies can sometimes be very unpredictable, the Vice-Chancellor should always be in a position to balance between idealism and pragmatism.
Undoubtedly, Not a Walk in the Park is a remarkable addition to the existing literature on university administration and academic leadership in Nigeria, as his story largely mirrors the challenges, successes, and weaknesses of most of the administrative portfolios in Nigeria. This is a memoir that gives the reader an insight into his experiences, successes, and challenges as a Vice-Chancellor.
One of the most distinguishing features of this book is that it is not exaggerated or dishonest. Akninwumi does not present a triumphant story of his experiences in university administration but instead tells a story of how challenging manning the affairs of a university administration that is full of resistance, compromise, and strenuous choices. This overall truthfulness offers valuable lessons for scholars and administrators who are passionate about the future of Nigerian higher education. His documentation of the obstacles and the strategies he deployed to overcome them is enough blueprint for emerging leaders in Nigerian academic institutions. To Akinwumi, a university can only be built with vision, resilience, and commitment while working along with people of like minds. For readers interested in the internal workings of Nigerian universities, the book remains both an instructive reflection and a compelling historical record of institutional development.
