10,000 Lagosians head for Unilag daily to earn living

The University of Lagos says it is expanding town/gown relationship by daily providing business opportunities for more than 10,000 Lagos residents.

Prof. Rahamon Bello, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, made this known at a forum with our reporter in Lagos.

Bello spoke on the institution’s corporate social responsibility to its host, Akoka in Yaba.

“Unilag under my watch enjoys the influx of between 10,000 and 12,000 businessmen and women into the campus to earn a living on daily basis.

“It has also constantly expanded these opportunities in other viable areas for both our immediate neighbours and the larger Lagos residents.

“It is no doubt that Unilag is considered a commercial engine room in Lagos State as a whole,’’ Bello said.

He told NAN that his office treated up to 20 applications daily for opening of kiosks, business centres, restaurants and other forms of businesses.

The vice chancellor said that demands for access to space within Unilag for social events also grew,’’ he told our reporter.

Bello said that his administration encouraged research on the needs of the host community.

“A large number of people outside the university enjoy healthcare services in the university’s healthcare facilities at Idi-araba and other places.

“These facilities are made available to the public at very low rates.

“Everybody knows in Nigeria that our laboratory services to the public are cheap, affordable, credible and reliable.’’

Bello added that the university’s sports complex was always a beehive of activities.

“Many outsiders come to do physical exercises; many come to play basketball, football and even rugby.”