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UNILAG VICE CHANCELLOR ROLLS OUT ACHIEVEMENTS IN OFFICE

 

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, marked her second year as the 13th and first female Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos during the Pre-Convocation Press Conference for the 55th Convocation Ceremonies. As anticipated, Madam Vice Chancellor took the opportunity in addition to the details on the Convocation Ceremony, to provide a summary of the University’s achievements over the past 12 months.

Aside from the commissioning of three projects on Monday, Jan. 13, which include: the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug Recovery & Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance Analytical Laboratory (ACEDHARS Building)—a World Bank-supported Centre of Excellence focused on indigenous plants for medical applications; the 120-bed Moremi Hall extension; and the new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services that fosters teamwork, creative engagement, research collaboration, and knowledge co-creation; under her “Future-Ready Agenda,” the university achieved significant milestones in teaching, research, and service.

Key achievements include the establishment of the MED-AFRICA GMP Laboratory at the Faculty of Pharmacy, the first of its kind in a West African university, funded with $450,000 by the MED-AFRICA Foundation. The lab supports HIV prevention research in collaboration with the Centre for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York.

Infrastructure projects included the Green Air Initiative, which introduced electric buses for campus transport, and the UNILAG Unipod, an AI-themed hub for student creativity under the UNDP Africa TIMBUKTOO Initiative.

The university signed 14 MoUs with global universities, fostering collaborations in AI, food security, robotics, and health diagnostics. Partnerships with GAIN and Bank of America advanced food fortification and climate change research while supporting solar energy initiatives. Membership in the Afretec Network enabled STEM workshops and AI-integration training for staff. High-profile visits, such as those from Loughborough University’s Vice Chancellor and Spain’s Ambassador, further solidified international ties.

Tech Skills Marketplace
Fifty-two engineering and technology undergraduates participated in internships with 25 MSMEs and start-ups under the Tech Skills Marketplace Internship Program.

Internationalization and Innovation
The 3rd International Week (Oct. 21–26, 2024) focused on “Inclusive Digital Transformation and the University Promise,” featuring speakers Dr. Tunji Alausa and Professor Jo Angouri. Participants included representatives from 15 international universities and NGOs. A Teaching and Learning Academy launched with the University of Warwick trained 28 faculty members, while the UNILAG Global Engagement Committee was formed to boost international partnerships.

NITDA IT Hub (NITHUB)
NITHUB hosted the 4th International Conference on AI and Robotics with 572 participants from 14 countries. It supported 28 startups, developed three new products, and established partnerships with organizations like UNDP, GAIN, and Google.

Global Competitiveness: Students and Staff Excellence
Six University of Lagos undergraduate students won the 2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge, marking the university’s fifth consecutive victory.

UNILAG students showcased remarkable skills in over 50 entrepreneurship competitions across countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa. At the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summit in Rwanda, they secured the top three positions, enhancing the university’s global reputation.

During Carnegie Mellon University Africa’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Summit in Kigali, Rwanda (Jan. 24–26, 2024), UNILAG students won the Global Challenge Competition with their innovation.

In Nov. 2024, Temitope Olamide Jinadu (Electrical & Electronics Engineering) and Damilare Adeyemo (Computer Science) won first place in the Disaster-Resilient Communication Track at the IEEE Region 8 Climate Challenge Finals in Bari, Italy. Precious Ozegbe (Accounting) and Oluwafunmilayo Odusanwo (Finance) were selected for the prestigious World Bank Treasury Summer Internship Programme, out of over 900 applicants.

Research
The university secured approximately ₦4 billion in research grants in 2024, with over ₦2 billion awarded to the College of Medicine.

Infrastructure
Renovations are underway for hostels including Makama Bida, Eni Njoku, and Biobaku, with procurement started for others.

The Lagos State Government has committed to refurbishing the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, with completion expected before the upcoming ceremonies, enhancing the venue’s ambiance. Additionally, with support from the Lagos State Road Maintenance Agency, several key university roads, including the Faculty of Education car park, School of Postgraduate Studies Road to Henry Carr, and Henry Carr Car Park, have been resurfaced.

University logo
The corrected UNILAG logo was unveiled on Dec. 16, 2024.

UBA upgraded the UBA Park, creating a serene space and constructing an energy-efficient banking facility.

Healthcare
KAAF Specialist Hospital saw a 64% increase in annual deliveries (118 in 2024) and a 794% rise in patient visits, reflecting its commitment to quality healthcare.

Energy
The university moved to Band A for electricity, resulting in an energy audit and plans for solar panel installation. Approval was granted for the Rural Electrification project to deploy solar farms.

Cultural Contributions
UNILAG’s Creative Arts Department staged
Love and Colours in Delphi on Jun. 22, 2024, while the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies produced a documentary, Land and Power in Lagos, highlighting Lagos’ cultural heritage and land ancestry.

DONATIONS
The University of Lagos has received continued support and donations for infrastructure and scholarship advancement.

Chief Tunde Fanimokun has donated a building for the School of Postgraduate Studies to mark his 80th birthday, fulfilling a long-held dream. Although the concept was first conceived in 2014, funding delayed construction. Ten years later, the school will no longer occupy the top floor of the Faculty of Education building.

A key donor has pledged to construct a Student Hostel, renovate the Language Laboratory, endow a Chair in Gerontology, and support the Lagos Studies Centre. Staff residential apartments are also planned.

The Federal Ministry of Education recently boosted ICT infrastructure with a ₦250 million grant for a new multi-purpose computer lab, which will enhance learning and skill development. A 40KVA hybrid solar inverter will contribute to green energy and mitigate climate effects.

In honor of Dr. Justus Olukayode Sonuga, Enplan Group donated MIKE+ software lab kits for water-related departments.

Mr. Kola Adesina has committed to upgrading the Centre for Simulation into a Kola Adesina Simulation Training Laboratory.

Alumni Support
UNILAG alumni continue to support the university, including a donation from Pastor Tunde Bakare to power the Faculty of Law with solar energy. The 1984 Mass Communication alumni donated internet infrastructure, while the ASISA ’94 alumni donated office equipment and awarded scholarships to six students.

The Computer Science Alumni 91 set established scholarships for students, while the 1985 set renovated a lab, and donated 20 computer systems and 16 inverter batteries.

Appreciation and Conclusion
The University appreciates its alumni, stakeholders, and partners like Alpha Morgan, Lotus Bank, and Sahara Group for their ongoing support. As the 55th Convocation approaches, the university encourages celebrating the achievements of its graduates, who have worked diligently toward their success.

Finally, Madam Vice Chancellor said: “May God bless the University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria, and us all.”

Professor Abayomi Okanlawon, FAMedS, FNAMed, FASN

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