Some Nigerian universities will boldly include architecture in their list of available courses but the question is, are they practising what they’ve promised to teach?
I decided to start from the basics and check the main gate structure of 13 Nigerian public universities. Here’s what I found.
Federal University of Technology, Minna
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Is it a TETFUND abandoned project?r Is it a buy one, get one free low budget estate? I’m not sure what I’m looking at.
Obafemi Awolowo University
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Not sure what they set out to achieve with this high rise structure, but I know I’ll be far from excited if I show up at my prospective university and find the gate looking like this.
University of Ilorin
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I’m not going to be fooled by the “Better by Far” signage, this main gate is only slightly better than OAU’s.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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I think management wanted a little hint of dystopian architecture, but I’m not quite sure they hit the mark.
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Get your tickets here for a day of fun, networking and partayyyyy
Enugu State University
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They’re on this spot because I’ve decided to let the saturation in this photo fool me.
Federal University of Owerri
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The uneven trees, the sparse garden, the weird spacing of the name…It’s just not giving.
University of Calabar
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This is what I envision anytime I hear or read about the “Wall of Jericho”. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.
University of Jos
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There’s a chance I’m being fooled by the little garden they have going on, but something about this main gate doesn’t scream “You gon see shege”.
University of Benin
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There’s something about this gate that is too similar to the semi-permanent eyebrows you find on Yoruba Nollywood actresses. They also get a C-minus for that sparsely cultivated garden.
Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB)
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Is it me or this gate is giving a mix of the Bermuda Triangle and the Eye of Providence? Anyway, they get a decent C+ for their little garden.
University of Lagos
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Is that a GeePee tank in the frame? God, abeg. Anyway, UNILAG makes it this far up the list because of that digital clock. I think it’s a super cool touch.
Kwara State University
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At first glance, it looks like a lot is going on. But you know what? I’ll take it over all the other ones we’ve seen.
University of Ibadan
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If you can ignore the military outpost vibe, they get a solid B+ for this architecture. It’s grand, very “In your face” and has a lot of greenery.
Read also: These Colonial Buildings Will Make You Appreciate Nigerian History