By Jimoh Smith & Adebanke Ajibade
In the latest rankings of Universities in the World recently released by Times Higher Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), was one out of only four Nigerian Universities to have made the list.
Founded in 1962, the University of Lagos, Nigeria (UNILAG) has, for over 5 decades, provided qualitative and research-driven education to individuals from around the globe. It has three campuses in Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital. These are: the Main Campus at Akoka (which is largely surrounded by the scenic view of the Lagos lagoon), the School of Radiography at Yaba, and its College of Medicine, at Idi-Araba, Surulere.
The University takes pride in its evolving diverse stakeholders: students, parents, faculty and staff, council, alumni, friends of the University and generous sponsors from over 50 countries. According to the University, it’s graduates are part of a global network of leaders, artists, innovators and academics that continue to leave positive imprints in sustainable human experiences.
The University offers over 86 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate programmes (PGD, Masters/M.Phil and Ph.D.) spread across twelve faculties and five Institutes, namely: faculties of Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences, Distance Learning Institute, Confucius Institute, Institute of Maritime Studies, Institute of Continuing Education, and Institute for African & Diaspora Studies. Many of the academic programmes are organised into focused areas of specialisation for the award of degrees and skills acquisition.
UNILAG is driving creativity through training and capacity building. It has 10 research centres, some of which are Centres of Excellence and over a hundred research groups that form the unique entities for research. Some of the research centres are: Centres for Drug Research & Herbal Medicine, African Regional Integration & Borderland Studies, Entrepreneurship & Skills Development, Autism & Neuro Development Disorders, Human & Zoonotic Virology, and Economic Policy Analysis & Research. Others are two ARUA Centres i.e. Biodiversity Conservation and Human Resources Development.
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Faculty members enjoy strong support from the Research & Innovations Office, extensive Library collections, to mention a few, thereby expanding their frontiers in research and collaborations such as: Africa Capacity Building Initiative of Royal Society-DFID, WHO Malaria Rapid Diagnosis LOT Testing Platform, Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network Project, Renewable Energy, Nanotechnology, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Innovative pedagogy, Peace Building etc.
Among UNILAG’s notable Alumni are:
His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Vice President of Nigeria
His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State
Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology
Omowunmi Sadik, Chemist and Inventor, Binghamton University, USA
Wale Adenuga, Publisher and Film Producer
Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association
Dr Matilda Kerry-Osazuwa, founder of the George Kerry Life Foundation
Kunle Adeyemi, Principal of NLÉ, an Architecture, Design and Urbanism Firm, Amsterdam
Dele Olojede, Journalist, 1st African born winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Tony Elumelu, Economist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
John Momoh, Chairman, Channels Television Group
Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, CNN Heroes Top 10 Awardee for 2018.
Watch this video to find out 10 things you never knew about one of Nigeria’s pmost prestigious Universities, UNILAG.