By Tony Okafor
If respect were a currency, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, would be one of the richest campuses in Nigeria.
In an era when courtesy is fast becoming an endangered virtue, the university stands out as a rare oasis of respect.
From the shuttle park to the Administration Block, I was met with bows, smiles, and warm greetings—sometimes even an apology for not greeting quickly enough.
I discovered this quite by accident—on a casual stroll meant purely for pleasure and sightseeing.
From the shuttle park, I made my way toward the imposing Administration Block that sits like a crown at the heart of the campus.
I expected the usual campus bustle—students hurrying to lectures, others buried in their phones or lost in the world of earbuds. But what I encountered was… different.
Every few steps, a student would pause, smile, and greet—sometimes with a slight bow, sometimes with a warm “Good afternoon, sir.” Some even genuflected, a gesture so rare in today’s higher institutions that it caught me off guard.
One particular encounter stopped me in my tracks. A group of four students walked past without saying anything. Barely a few metres ahead, they turned around, hurried back, and one of them said almost apologetically, “Sorry sir, we didn’t greet you.”
This was beginning to feel less like coincidence and more like culture.
To test my theory, I wandered toward a shaded spot near the Faculty of Arts, where a group of students sat studying together. Books open, pens in hand, they looked up as I approached. Then, in unison, they stood—not in confusion, but with the composed readiness of a congregation rising as a priest enters to begin Mass.
“We were taught from our first year,” explained Chisom, a third-year Philosophy student, “that greeting is part of our identity here. It’s not just respect for elders; it’s respect for humanity. You never lose anything by greeting.”
Another student, Ugochukwu from the Faculty of Law, put it this way: “Our lecturers say we are trained in learning and in character. For us, greeting is part of character.”
Beyond the warmth of their greetings, another detail stood out: the students—especially the ladies—were impeccably dressed. No revealing tops, no ragged jeans, no outfits fighting for attention. Modesty seemed to walk the corridors here.
By the time I reached the Administration Block, I had lost count of how many people had greeted me. The air felt different—not just because of the trees or the breeze, but because of the rare civility that filled it.
Discovering Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s dedication to tradition in a convenience-driven age was like striking gold – a rare find that truly stands out.
