Rejoinder to Moses Ochonu: A Diaporan who thinks he's fighting ASUU

Nuraddeen Danjuma Maiwada, PhD
Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
(Proudly BUKITE)

In examining the character of Ochonu over the recent past, I found a selfish locally made Diaporan who feels maiming and belittling others is a shortest route to achieving fame and academic prestige. Ochonu – who got his B.A.  History in Bayero University, Nigeria - stands as a poignant reflection of a troubling trend within the African diaspora: the inclination to prioritise academic prestige and global recognition at the expense of local heritage and community development. While it is crucial to appreciate the significance of his academic achievements — particularly in the field of African History with a focus on the Colonial and Post-Colonial eras — one must critically assess the manner in which Ochonu engages with the academic communities that nurtured him.

Ochonu’s critiques of his teachers back home and his harsh evaluation of ASUU stem from a position of perceived superiority. He seems to have internalized the belief that education and cultural experiences acquired abroad hold greater value than those gained within his own community. This perspective is not only dismissive of the rich, contextual learning that takes place in African academic environments but also reinforces colonial hierarchies that position Western education as the gold standard. It is essential to recognize that this viewpoint diminishes the contributions of educators under ASUU, who, despite facing significant challenges, are dedicated to elevating the quality of education within their local contexts. 

What Ochonu fails to grasp is that true progress does not come from berating those who are striving for change in challenging environments. ASUUSITE’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of educators is both admirable and enliven. By struggling for education at home over the past five decades, ASUU actively counters the cultural imperialism that Ochonu seems to propagate in his critique and courageously made significant impact to education which thousands of his kind could not. In today’s Nigeria, which Ochonu runaway from, ASUU has more than enough issues to handle – so if you want to play hero come back to either BUK that made you or any local institution and give your best. At least let us know what aspect of the Colonial and Post-Colonial history you are teaching in the lands of the colonialist. Ochonu's approach, characterized by a lack of constructive dialogue or assistance, serves only to divide rather than to unite. Please find a second job in Oyinbo land; a job that will make you active and proactive not that which reduces you to few hours of engagement and predisposing you to mocking your heritage and origin.

Moreover, the notion that Ochonu is being "hard" on ASUU requires further examination. This self-proclaimed toughness masquerades as intellectual rigour, yet it often descends into cultural betrayal. The true measure of an academic is the ability to empower rather than to dismantle, to engage in dialogue rather than deride. If Ochonu perceives himself as a champion of African history, then he must also embody the values of solidarity and mentorship that are intrinsic to our communities. But if he feels his Nashville home, culture and status are better than his origin and those that made him, so be it. If he truly seeks to contribute positively, return to your roots and make a step toward reconciliation with your cultural heritage. Be ready also to handle Nigeria which is home to over 20% of the world’s out-of-school children and over 18 million 5-14-year-olds are missing from the classroom. 

In the Nigeria he ran away from, a vice chancellor has observed that over the years, between 50 to 55 percent of candidates who sat for United Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are admitted into Nigerian universities. What happens to the rest? Can’t Ochonu absorb them in University of Nashville, Tennessee - a better place than his alma mater. Similarly, of the more than 1.9 million candidates registered to participate in 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). only 20 per cent of the candidates might be offered admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country according to the immediate past Minister of Education. Isn’t the statistics alarming? Where is Ochonu? What did you say about that? Well, I know the answer is “Let the chips fall where they may.”

In conclusion, rather than maiming the Union, Ochonu should use his insights into the Colonial and Post-Colonial chapters of our history acquired in BUK, Michigan and Nashville to create blended meaningful educational programmes that bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering a robust intellectual tradition that honours both local and global narratives. It is imperative for Ochonu — and for individuals in similar positions — to reevaluate the impact of their criticisms and to aspire to be conduits for change rather than barriers. Embracing one’s heritage while engaging with the broader academic world is not only possible but necessary for the advancement of African education and culture. It is through collaboration, respect, and constructive dialogue that we can hope to build a brighter future for generations to come.