ABSTRACT
African universities being, to an even greater extent than those of industrial countries, the breeding ground of the fraction of one per cent which rules the continent, the question of the social, geographic, religious, and ethnic origins of African students is of great practical relevance. The life histories also reveal a wide variety of motivating factors for education. The material life of students revolves around the halls of residence. Applications for admission are processed through an office of the Registry, and passed on to the relevant faculty to which the student hopes to be admitted. Before the military coups, student politics tied in with the larger power game of the ethnically based parties in the Federation. The most prominent aspect of student politics at U.I., as well as at other Nigerian universities, is their financial dishonesty, both real and alleged.
