Prof. Winifred Fashola, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo and Tunde Ajaja, how she rose to become a professor despite the challenges she encountered during her academic pursuits
How easy was it for you to get to this position, despite your age?
It feels good. It has been a long journey. A research that I should have finished in four or five years took me nine years because of some circumstances. There was a time when I had finished writing the dissertation for my Master’s and because of one mark, through the mistake of one of the lecturers, I was not admitted to Ph.D class. I needed 60 per cent, but I got 59 per cent. So, I had to stay again for another two years. At a time, I took a break and went to the UK for vacation. When I came back, I met a professor who offered to help me with my research work. He did a marvellous job and I was eventually done with it. I took it to a typesetter who brought the finished work to my house but he did not meet me at home. He was very cautious so that nobody would tamper with the work, so he took it to his house and that was the day his house was razed. My work got burnt in the process. When I was told about the incident, I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked and hospitalised thereafter. I thought he would have a back-up saved on his computer. When I asked, he said he had deleted it. The saving grace was that I still had the original manuscript that I was using. So I started all over again and spent another two years on it. When I finished, the chairman of the committee of professors who were coming to interview me had a coma in the night and was rushed to the hospital and I had to wait for another three months before he could come. Then we chose a date. On the morning of the interview, I was ready but that was the day the Academic Staff Union of Universities members began their strike which lasted for about seven months. It may be hard to believe but it was a big challenge for me when all these things happened, but thank God I can laugh over it now. After that, I was employed as a graduate assistant in the same faculty and later; I was made a lecturer in that same faculty.
Are you fulfilled now that you are a professor?
In anything, everyone wants to reach the apex of their career, even the billionaires are not resting. We all keep aiming for the highest and the best we can be. That is when satisfaction and the spirit of being an achiever come in. About my professorial pursuit, I wanted to get to the peak of my chosen field, and that was why I couldn’t be deterred by the daunting challenges on the way and now that I’m there, I’m happy. The prestige that comes with being a professor is just like the personal fulfilment that accompanies such great feat.
How was growing up?
I was born into a polygamous home in Lagos in 1943. My father, Joseph Akilapa, was a ladies’ man; intelligent, handsome and relatively rich. Despite being a member of the Catholic Church, he had eight wives. He was the one who translated the English Bible to Egun language but he died when he was still relatively young because he got into trouble with the British government then. He could do little for us before he died, so each of the wives had to take care of her children. We all didn’t live together; I only went to the house on holidays, though we knew ourselves very well. Only two of us are remaining out of about 12. It was not a smooth ride then, but my mother tried her best.
What was the issue your father had with the British Government?
My father was a young man then and it was a time when only the courageous could challenge the Europeans. It was a time when you could not fight them whether you were right or wrong. He had a school then. He started having problems when an education went to his school and jumped in through the window. As an educated man, he challenged the officer for doing that instead of going in through the door. That was how he got into trouble with them. In connivance, they dealt with him; took all he had and shut down his school. His operating license was seized, the school was shut down and even his zoological garden that was fetching him money was also closed. How could a man survive all those challenges at a time? They impoverished him; stripped him of his income, happiness and joy. So, he died eventually. What else could a man do? He couldn’t send us to school his own way because he died shortly after the issues he had with them, so our mothers had to take care of us.
How then did you manage your way through school?
It’s a long story. I married at an early age, and my husband, Tokunbo Fashola, was partly responsible for my education. We were in love and hardly separated. When you get married newly and you are in love, you can hardly allow your wife to leave your side. He took me to England but he didn’t allow me to finish my education there. He insisted that we return to Nigeria together and after our return I started having children. Unfortunately, I lost him when he got to the apex of his career. I was 36 and he was 47 years old then. We were all to travel to England for him to take up an appointment during which I was to continue my studies but he died before we could do that. So, the latter part of my education was after his death. We founded a school before he died, so the school played a prominent role in financing my education.
What made you go back to school?
When my husband died, I was mourning his death for a long time. You know what physical presence means to young lovers. But a friend advised me to go for higher studies instead of sitting down and crying. I put up some excuses such as having children to look after and other responsibilities but she encouraged me and I prayed about it; so I started. From the Advanced College, now called College of Education, Ijanikin, I went to the University of Lagos. She advised me to continue since I had the mental capacity, and I did. It seemed as if it wouldn’t happen, but with dogged determination, resilience, courage and calmness, the sad mood faded out gradually and I was able, through the grace of God, to surmount the problems.
Does it mean that you may not have given school another thought if your husband were alive?
I would have. In fact, I would have studied law. If we had the opportunity to take up the appointment undeterred by anything, I would have studied there. I love school, classrooms and education. I would have studied law in England if my husband were alive. It’s easier to study law in England.
You attended the university at an older age, how did you feel seeing younger ones in your class?
I wasn’t too old but I was above their age group. But I made up my mind to be young at heart. I was in my 40s and I still dressed like them. I got my first degree when I was 45, my Master’s degree when I was 49 and my Master of Philosophy degree was when I was around 52. I was a research fellow. Then, I finished my PhD at 62. People are usually surprised when they hear about all these achievements, but it started somewhere, with strong determination.
Have you always wanted to be in the academics or was it because you lost your husband and you wanted to get busy?
Not really. Even though I have always loved education, I didn’t give it much attention when my husband was alive because I had the plan to study law in England when he resumed his appointment there, which he didn’t live to accomplish, and we were so much in love that we didn’t want to leave ourselves.
How long were you married before he died?
About 14 years. We were young lovers and we didn’t think about so many things other than having children and spending time together because we were so much in love. He was in the maritime and he got a fantastic job with the Nigerian National Shipping Line. He was to be the representative of Nigeria in Liverpool for the purchasing of a fleet for Nigeria. That was when Nigerian leaders were interested in doing things for their country.
It must have been a trying time, how did your children manage the shock of losing him?
We were all ready to travel; packing and tidying things up. We had gone to the children’s schools to apply for their transfer certificates and cards. The day he died, we spoke before I left the house for our school at Akoka. While I was there, our driver came and told me that Daddy wanted to see me and when we got close to the house, I saw people crying and wailing. That was all I saw and that was the end of it. I learnt he just slumped and died. We couldn’t go to England anymore. The children and I were very devastated. I had to go back to their schools to inform them that the children would come back. While the office in England was waiting to receive us in a grand style, he was dead and we were here mourning. It was very sad. But I thank God that we are all doing well now. It was the school which we co-founded that helped to finance my education and sustain the family.
How did you meet him?
We met at a party in Surulere, Lagos. He came to the party with his friend. When the two gentlemen came in, one was dark and handsome and the other wore a pair of glasses, he was fair and very handsome. That was him. When I saw him, I said to myself, ‘what a handsome man!’ Before they came, about two men had asked me for a dance which I declined because I didn’t feel like dancing. But when he came and asked for a dance, I jumped up (laughs). The music being played then was Baby jowo by Victor Olaiya. When the music was about to finish, he started talking to me; asking for my name, where I worked and everything he could ask in a rush. I was a teacher at a school on Keffi Street, Obalende. Three days later, he came to the school to look for me and that was the beginning of the journey; it was a happy moment. I was also fascinated by his style of dressing, his friends used to call him Fashionable Fash.
Did any of your parents or family members oppose your relationship?
No. He told me he had a failed relationship and was finishing his divorce and that was when I was also stepping out of a relationship. My boyfriend was a footballer, who was too engrossed with goalkeeping. He was so good at what he was doing, but I didn’t think there was life in football, so I felt my future with him could be bleak. Then, football was not a lucrative or promising venture. His whole life was about the game and at that time, no young girl wanted to stay with a footballer, unlike now. I had to let go and that was when I met Toks (Tokunbo). Then, young girls wanted someone who studied law or medicine or journalism. Even though my husband wasn’t a lawyer, he was into shipping.
For your husband to have died at such a young age, traditionally, the family might insinuate that the wife had a hand in it. Did you have such experience?
Not at all. The Fashola family is not like that. They are educated people with close family ties.
Why didn’t you remarry, since you were young?
I tried it once but it didn’t work. Though we were not married, the relationship produced a child, who is now a lawyer; it was a different experience entirely, I had to let go of the relationship.
Your husband was an uncle to the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, what kind of relationship do you have with him?
The governor is a very humble man. We relate very well whenever we see, especially at family functions. The wife is the same; very polite, decent and humble. I don’t go to him to look for favours but if I meet him for anything, I know he would attend to me, but then, at my age, what else do I need? I am a happy woman. At my 70th birthday, he sent me a message and a gift, what else do I want?
With the level of relationship you have with him, one would have expected to meet you living at one of the highbrow areas. Why do you prefer living here?
I like it here. It’s central and I can access anywhere I want to go from here. This area is also devoid of the usual pressure, noise and traffic in those places you call highbrow areas. Here, we don’t have blood pressure. I even pity my children who live in those areas because of the traffic congestion they experience from time to time.
You ride in a bus that belongs to your school, one would have expected you to have a fleet of cars since you are related to the governor…
I have another car apart from the school bus, even though I prefer the bus sometimes because the security agents on the road don’t check school buses. Where do I want to go that my car won’t take me? I am contented with what I have and I’m fulfilled. My children own cars, what do I need them for?
Based on your relationship with the governor, do people come to you for favours?
A lot. People come to me because of that. But politely I tell them there is not much I can do. I was embarrassed sometimes ago. It was my first time in a church and I was given a form to fill. After the service, some members quickly accosted me, because of the name on the form and later in the day; towards evening, they came to my house and prayed for me, which was a good thing. Then they brought out a letter that I should help them give to the governor. I told them that it wouldn’t be possible for me to see him or deliver the letter. I only see him at family functions and it will be unfair to him if I meet him at a function and all I will do is to hand him a letter for assistance. So, as my widow’s mite, I put N5,000 in an envelope and gave to the church. The following day, the Pastor came to my house and said the church was shocked and surprised that someone like me could behave like that. So, these are some of the things I see. If there is a way I could help people in my own capacity, I do, not because of my relationship with the governor.
Is there anything you would wish to have now that you don’t have?
I wish I could have my husband back. It’s a lonely life being a widow. Anytime I have opportunity to talk to widows, I tell them not to overstretch themselves and avoid deep mourning. In my own case, I went to study. It’s important for widows to do something with their lives. That was why I ventured into academics.
What do you do at your leisure?
I write poems and my holiday is very important to me which is two months every year. Nowadays, I devote my time to church matters, counselling, philanthropic endeavours, especially in the areas of helping young widows and going to prisons for evangelism. In fact, that was where I spent my 70th birthday.
Tell us about your school.
The school started about 30 years ago and my husband was very instrumental to the establishment but he died about a year after. He drafted all the letters we needed for approval and sold lots of ideas to me. The school has been doing very fine. I have personal interest in the progress of my teachers and pupils. It gives me joy seeing children progress regardless of the cost. Education bridges the gap between the rich and the poor and that is why it should be given a worthy attention. I hope that, someday, we will get there.
What has been your happiest moment in recent times?
The best thing that happened to me last year was when the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips, pardoned some inmates at Ikoyi prison. I visit the prison regularly and it hurts to see talents wasting there. If you see some of the inmates on musical instruments, you would marvel. We have pastors and elders among the inmates now. Going there, seeing them give their lives to Christ gladdens my heart.
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