365 Days later… From the Vice-Chancellor’s Desk

n November 12, 2022, my tenure as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of our great University commenced. My appointment could not have come at a more critical time in the University System in Nigeria when we were just recovering from the challenges of the pandemic and the prolonged strike actions.

Despite this, we were able to weather the storm of subsidy removal which more than tripled the cost of expenditure for all of us. The necessary increase in obligatory fees would not have scaled through without your support. I recognize the sacrifices that we have all had to make in the last one year. I want to thank you as you have remained committed and loyal to UNILAG despite the challenges. This is not taken for granted and I am confident that next year will be better.

Nevertheless, there are positives to draw from our challenges, we have recorded some successes in the quality and quantum of research and grants, improved collaborations and partnerships with other universities and industry within andoutside Nigeria, as well as exchange programmes for staff and students. Also, in pursuing my FUTURE-READY Agenda,we have had successes related to my strategy of Financial Re-engineering, Infrastructural Development, Research and Manpower Development (FIRM).

We have focused on manpower development with the unbundling of faculties/programmes to better position our staff, we have also improved the skills and competences ofstaff and students through the Coursera Certification trainings, commenced infrastructure upgrade and the rehabilitation of students’ hostels, upskilled the Records Office throughimproved digitization of records and issuance of transcripts, commissioned the new Data Management Office and upgraded the University Library to improve students’ learning experience.

The foundation for a number of infrastructural developments, the urban agriculture project, the full automation of University processes and the new website have all commenced and will fully materialize in the new year.

Our students have continued to blaze the trail in many ways, they have won and are still winning innovation challenges, they have manifested outstanding employability skills bothnationally and internationally, they are making waves in the creative space, tech and in the field of sports.

For this and more, we have cause to be grateful and I continue to solicit your support to raise the University of Lagos to the next level and improve our collective marketability.

Once again, I appreciate your support and cooperation in our collective quest to have the University of our dreams.

Thank you.

Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS
Vice Chancellor

Source: UNILAG