UNILAG ADVANCES TOWN-GOWN RELATIONSHIP, COLLABORATES WITH NIGERIAN NAVY HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE

University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria has expanded the frontiers of its Town-Gown Relationship with its latest collaboration with the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO).

Details of the collaboration were the subject of discussions on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, when the Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON.

Rear Admiral Olugbode expressed delight at being back at the institution that would have been his alma-mater had providence not arranged for him to be at the National Defence Academy (NDA). He emphasised the centrality of the academia to the maritime security and prosperity of Nigeria, and called for all hands to be on deck for the realisation of these potentials.

His words: “The country can’t have a national hydrographic infrastructure without tying it to the academia. We are in the process of operationalising the Nigeria Hydrographic Agency; and, on my watch, it is my singular objective to achieve synergy among all stakeholders operating in the Nigerian maritime space. This is where the academia features prominently. For purposes of Research and Development (R&D), the entire maritime ecosystem needs the input of the academia. For example, at the click of a button, we should be able to get, at minimum, a five-year oceanographic parameter of our sea beds”.

In response, the Vice-Chancellor appreciated the Rear Admiral Olugbode for his passion for the subject of Hydrography and its utility for national development. She particularly commended him for his recognition of the role of the academia, and expressed the readiness of UNILAG to take its rightful place.

“This really speaks to what we want – this hand-shake between the town and gown. Now, we are talking about national defence and prosperity. For sure, the academia has a vital role in these. Our Institute of Maritime Studies; and Departments of Marine Sciences; and Survey and Geo-informatics will be at the centre of our efforts in this regard. This is a good way to start the day, because deliberations at this meeting tick many boxes in UNILAG’s mission to be relevant to the growth aspirations of our country. This is it; and it is time we got started!”, she declared.

The meeting deliberated on other details of the collaboration including the launch of the Senate-approved Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Hydrographic Surveying programme, which will begin in the 2023/2024 Academic Session.

At the meeting also were other members of UNILAG management team: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Lucian Chukwu; Ag. Registrar, Mrs Olakunle Makinde; and the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Olusoji Ilori.