UNILAG VC presents scorecard

The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola says various faculties of the institution have attracted over N11 billion research grants in the last one year.

Ogunsola said this on Thursday, in Lagos, while addressing newsmen on her achievements since assumption of office in November 2022.

According to her, the university is on the path of building its reputation both locally and globally in the area of research and human capital development.

“Since assumption of office on Nov. 14, 2022, we have made steady progress despite the grim economic climate and many disruptions.

“This last year was one of consolidation, seed sowing and growth, which we have achieved by building on our strengths, strengthening and developing new partnerships and facilitating the creativity and initiatives of staff and students.

“We have been putting in place the building blocks to make UNILAG future-ready.

“We were determined to push forward to ensure that the university could grow and deliver on its mandate of teaching, research and service, through the future-ready agenda.

“This is encapsulated by the four pillars of growth; Growing the Finance, Growing the infrastructure, Growing the Reputation and Growing the Manpower (FIRM),” she stated.

She noted that various faculties had been recognised for research studies.

According to her ,Prof. Njideka Okubadejo, for instance, had led a Nigerian research network, working with other researchers globally to identify a gene that increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, in African populations.

The vice chancellor noted that in response to the emergent global standards in response to industry needs, the university was undertaking major redesign of some of its academic programmes.

“Our aim is to ensure that we offer the best to our students and ensure we deliver on our mandate to produce future-ready graduates.

“Specifically, we are unbundling our programmes in Architecture, Creative Arts and Mass Communication and establishing them as stand-alone Faculties to foster growth in these fields, where we can boast of our distinctive strength,” she stated.

According to Ogunsola, the university, through the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standard Centre of Excellence is making strides in the areas of building national and regional capacity for enhanced public sector service delivery.

She noted that through the centre, the university now offered undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in Procurement.

Speaking on the perennial accommodation challenges faced by the 61-year-old institution, Ogunsola explained that the university had commenced a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade and rehabilitation of various existing halls.

She identified Mariere hall as one of them, adding that the renovated structure would be available for occupation by January 2024.

The don added that limited renovations were carried out in seven hostels; Moremi, Fagunwa, Jaja, Makama Bida, Eni Njoku, Amina and Biobaku.

According to her, the rooms, windows, nettings, doors, ceilings, floor tiles, toilets are being repaired.

She said that the rebuilding of block G of the Moremi Hall was on-going and work had also started on the rehabilitation of the Honors hostel.

“Both renovated halls should be ready in 2024 to ensure that more of our students have succour from daily commute.

“The approvals processes for an additional four new student hostels are advanced. These hostels will be located both inside and outside the campus,” she stated.

Speaking further, the vice chancellor described staff housing as one of the major challenges facing the university.

According to her, efforts have been made to democratise the procedures for the allocation of all accommodation, including boys quarters on campus.

“We are also engaging in remodelling of some of the structures housing staff residences with a view to creating more spaces to alleviate the housing challenges that many of our staff face.

“One of our strategies is to adapt the bigger duplexes to two-bedroom flats.

“Funding too has remained a major challenge in optimising quality education delivery, but we are not relenting in our efforts.

“On issue of security, I must say that we are begining to experience unprecedented threats to the security of the university property

“However, the combined efforts of our security agents and the police have helped to stem the tide,” Ogunsola said.