J. F. Ade Ajayi is Emeritus Professor of History, University of Ibadan, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.Lameck K. H. Goma, a graduate of Fort Hare, taught Zoology at Makerere and Legon and is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zambia.G. Ampah Johnson taught Biology at the University of Abidjan and is founding Rector of the University of Benin.

"This is a serious, solid book which covers the issues, problems and weaknesses of the African University with honesty, frankness and a certain toughmindedness … it is obviously intended as a plea to African universities and their staff and students, and to governments and politicians to set aside power struggles that are destroying the African universities from both the inside and the outside." (former Secretary to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, London)