The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNILAG

  • FG unveils high-speed internet access at UNILAG to power digital future

    FG unveils high-speed internet access at UNILAG to power digital future

    The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday launched a pilot phase of high-speed fibre-optic broadband connectivity across hostels at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

    The initiative, which will provide each hostel with dedicated fiber links, secured Wi-Fi, and continuous performance monitoring, was unveiled by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

    The unveiling was attended by key stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector.

    The Fibre-to-Hostel initiative is part of the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria, designed to improve internet penetration in critical institutions, starting with universities.

    It is supported by Galaxy Backbone, Huawei, and Tizeti.

    Dr Tijani, in his keynote speech, said, “For the first time, students in UNILAG hostels will have access to high-speed internet with bandwidths of 50 to 100 Mbps. This is not the regular connectivity on your phones. This is fibre, the kind of quality that meets global standards for residential access.”

    Emphasising the life-changing potential of this development for students, he said, “When I was in the university, internet access cost 30 Naira per minute using dial-up. Today, we are giving you the kind of broadband that powers global tech businesses, online education, and startups, right in your hostel rooms.

    “Four hostels, including the Gbajabiamila Hall Residence and Erastus Akingbola Hall, will benefit from this first phase, which is part of a broader goal to bring affordable and quality internet to all 774 local government areas and major public institutions across Nigeria.

    “This is a clear expression of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion digital economy, powered by inclusive, high-performance infrastructure,” Tijani added. “It’s about ensuring no student is left behind simply because of where they are or what resources they have.”

    The minister also used the occasion to promote the Ministry’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, a free training initiative for young Nigerians in tech skills.

    “If you’re not learning technology alongside your main course of study, you’re not preparing for the future,” Tijani warned. “Before I leave this campus, I hope many of you will sign up for the 3MTT program. It’s your gateway to the global digital economy.”

    He further encouraged students to hold service providers accountable.

    “If you’re not getting the 50 to 100 Mbps we promised, send me a message on LinkedIn. I want you to call us out. We’re building a country where quality and accountability matter.”

    The minister shared his own journey from being a youth leader in AIESEC, a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organisation run by youths, to launching tech ventures in Lagos, attributing much of his success to early access to reliable internet.

    “Many of Nigeria’s tech success stories, from Andela to Flutterwave, started with students like you in places like this,” he said. “Let this free, high-speed internet be your springboard to building the next big idea.”

    Tijani confirmed that after UNILAG, the project will be scaled to seven other universities before nationwide expansion.

    “The digital future is not coming, it is here. And today, we’ve ensured UNILAG students are not watching from the sidelines, but are fully plugged in,” Tijani concluded.

    Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the project launch as a “historic moment” that aligns with the university’s digital transformation goals.

    “We’ve invested heavily in digitisation and electricity, but wiring hostels was a long-term goal we didn’t expect to meet soon. This initiative has fast-tracked that dream,” Ogunsola said.

    So far, four hostels have been connected, with plans to extend to all on-campus hostels and medical campuses in Idi-Araba.

    She noted that the impact will go beyond students, reaching faculty, departments, and surrounding communities.

    Prof Ogunsola added that UNILAG will collaborate with project partners to track the initiative’s impact and pledged the university’s commitment to making it a success.

    “This project enhances our students’ competitiveness globally, especially in tech spaces. We’re ready to make the most of it,” she said.

    Read Also: UNILAG: no delay in NELFUND loan reimbursement

    The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, who was represented by Mrs. Ayoteju Ogun, urged the student to embrace the opportunity responsibly. “Use the connectivity not just for entertainment but for learning, creativity, and innovation. Government agencies are watching for talent to support,” he said.

    He called on university management, faculty, and students to take full ownership of the infrastructure to ensure sustainability and long-term impact across Nigeria’s higher education system.

    Prof Ribadu also highlighted how the initiative complements the NUC’s broader digital reforms, including the AI-focused centres of excellence and digital accreditation processes.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the project as a transformative step toward closing digital connectivity gaps in Nigerian universities.

    “Our aim is to ensure students have seamless internet access from their living spaces, not just lecture halls and libraries. This is about unlocking the potential for innovation, research, and global competitiveness.”Adeyanju said

  • UNILAG: no delay in NELFUND loan reimbursement

    UNILAG: no delay in NELFUND loan reimbursement

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has debunked reported delay in the disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) loans to its students who had paid their obligatory fees before it received the loan.

    The institution’s Head of Communication Unit, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, debunked the rumour in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem said the attention of the university had been drawn to a recent publication, alleging delay in reimbursement of NELFUND loans to students.

    “Refunds are typically processed after reconciliation and verification with NELFUND.

    Read Also: NELFUND pays April upkeep allowance to student loan beneficiaries 

    “So far, three tranches of NELFUND loans have been received by the university and beneficiaries across the first two batches have been successfully reimbursed.

    “For the third batch, which was received towards the end of April, we are currently collating and reconciling students’ payment details,” she said.

    The Head of Communication Unit assured the public that refunds would be processed according to regulations.

    “The university management remains committed to its core values of transparency, accountability and student-centred service delivery.

    “We implore our students to take advantage of the NELFUND loan facility, and contact the NELFUND help desk at our student affairs division for prompt assistance and resolution on any complaint,” Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem said.

  • UNILAG don: Botany vital to tackling drug trafficking, abuse

    UNILAG don: Botany vital to tackling drug trafficking, abuse

    • By Tosin Ajayi

    University of Lagos youngest Professor,  Temitope Olabisi Onuminya, a lecturer at the Department of Botany, has underscored the importance of botany in tackling drug trafficking and abuse.

    In a media chat, the 38-year-old  professor of Plant Systematics and Conservation explained that  innovations like DNA barcoding, which identifies plant materials in various forms can assist law enforcement and relevant authorities in identifying adulterations in various formulations as well as distinguishing between restricted and common plants, facilitating speedy and informed decisions regarding the analysis of substances and enforcement.

    Prof. Onuminya, who  earned her doctorate from UNILAG in November 2011, graduating as the overall best PhD. Student and the youngest in the tertiary institution’s 50-year history, credited her success to the mentorship of Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the university’s immediate past Vice Chancellor. “I have been able to enjoy the mentorship of a man who is visionary and willing to provide the platform for one to thrive at every point. I am grateful for the guidance he provided in my academic journey so far. He instilled in me a culture of learning and personal development for everything that is needed in academic development,” she said.

    The Darwin Scholar emphasised the importance of securing funding for research, noting that her mentor equipped her with grant-writing skills.

    Originally aspiring to be a mechanical engineer like her grandfather, an electrical engineer, Prof.Onuminya’s path shifted after a series of encounters with people and circumstances.

    Read Also: Pope Francis: Tuggar, Obi, Catholic Secretariat, CAN, Soludo, Kalu, UNILAG Muslim community mourn

    She expressed  disappointment  at being directed to Botany instead of Medicine or Pharmacology, adding that encouragement from a neighbour motivated her to excel in her studies.

     By her third year, inspired by Ogundipe, she decided to pursue a career in academia, declining several lucrative job offers elsewhere.

    She reiterated the value of mentorship and the exposure it offers, stressing that her mentor’s support allowed her to travel and learn from experts, enhancing her skills in molecular biology and DNA barcoding.

    The don  acknowledged the challenges of herbal drug standardisation and the efforts being made to address them. According to her, the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development, and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS)at UNILAG  trains various practitioners and stakeholders in the herbal production industry on standardisation and regulatory compliance.

  • HRDC-UNILAG, CIPSMN renew partnerships on training

    HRDC-UNILAG, CIPSMN renew partnerships on training

    • By  Tosin Ajayi

    The Directorate of the Human Resources Development Centre, University of Lagos (HRDC-UNILAG) and the Chartered Institute Of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) have renewed their partnerships in the provision of quality manpower training and capacity development for different individuals, groups and bodies in the public and private sectors of the economy.

    This  was when the Director/ Head of HRDC,  Dr Lateef Odekunle led university team to engage the management of CIPSMN at the Lagos Office of the Institute.

    He said: “In a bid to revitalise the long lost partnership, we wrote to the institute, and we were invited to discuss the way forward. I’m happy that we were able to discuss the suspended collaborative arrangements. The likely issues that led to the fall or collapse of that collaboration were discussed, and then we agreed that henceforth, we should come back together to revitalise what appeared lost and create a kind of a robust strong strategy for future and thriving collaboration that will stand the intended purpose.”

    He said such collaboration will expand the frontier of the manpower training provided by both organisations, stressing it will expand the share of the market in quality manpower training and capacity development for both organisations and the country in general.

    Read Also: Okpebholo flags off Tinubu’s 2027 campaign as another PDP lawmaker joins APC

     Odekunle explained that the collaboration between the two organisations has become necessary to engage in the provision of requisite manpower professional training for the nation and her organisations.

    “As you know, we are a capacity-building centre for the University of Lagos. The institute is also established by an Act of Parliament as a professional body to provide human capacity-building as well. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria and the HRDC University of Lagos used to have collaboration, however, somewhere along the line; the collaboration broke down for reasons beyond our control.

    “We saw in the record as we came on board that there was an existing collaboration,” he said.

    On what the public should expect in the forms of training for professionals from diverse backgrounds, the HRDC-UNILAG Director said the manpower training that will be provided by both organisations is beyond procurement alone.

  • Ezekwesili, Bakare, others call for strategic leadership at UNILAG seminar

    Ezekwesili, Bakare, others call for strategic leadership at UNILAG seminar

    The President of Human Capital Africa, Oby Ezekwesili, has reiterated that the ability to articulate and pursue a long term vision that transcends short term political and economic pressures is the key characteristic of strategic leadership.

    She stated this in her keynote address at the University of Lagos Business School’s (ULBS) 2025 maiden quarterly business seminar 1.0, held at Tayo Aderinokun Hall.

    Speaking on the theme: “Strategic Leadership and Wealth of Nations: The Nexus”, she also urged leaders to learn from Singapore’s Lee Yew strategic and visionary leadership that promotes progressive economic growth.

    “A powerful example of this is Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership in Singapore. Under his stewardship, Singapore’s leaders implemented policies that prioritised education, infrastructural development, and the cultivation of a skilled workforce,” she said.

    In his keynote address, Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare, called for a generation of motivators who can inspire and awaken citizens to the continent’s amazing possibilities.

    Read Also: Oby Ezekwesili’s wars without rhyme

    He also advocated for a league of maestros who will build institutions, conduct governance effectively and lead nations skillfully and systematically, as well as a crop of trans-generational leaders and nation-builders who think not of the next election, but of the next generation.

    “The issues afflicting our nation are fundamental in scale and historical in scope. They strike at the core of our socio-political culture, governance structure and institutional architecture.

     “The vision was that of a Nigeria that every Nigerian would be proud of, a nation that would lead the rest of Africa out of colonial bondage into freedom and prosperity.

    “One of the key strategies by which our founding leaders sought to achieve this vision was a governance structure that would ensure that every part of the nation was optimally and competitively productive, with each subnational entity having sufficient incentives to develop competitively,” he noted.

    In his address, ULBS Director, Mike Adebamowo, said the quarterly business seminar series are designed to generate innovative ideas for effective leadership in the private and public sectors of the nation.

    UNILAG immediate past Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, reiterated: “We need people that can move this country forward. It’s not about today. It’s about dreaming about the future and I’m sure that this country will move.

    “We need to teach young ones about leadership in schools, churches and mosques. We should teach them that this country belongs to all of us; that’s how we can move this country forward,” he said.

  • Bidmos’ death: MSSNLagos condoles with family, UNILAG, Muslim community

    Bidmos’ death: MSSNLagos condoles with family, UNILAG, Muslim community

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit (MSSN Lagos) mourned the passing of Professor Murtala Aderemi Bidmos, a distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies and former Chief Imam of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    A revered scholar and icon of Islamic education, Professor Bidmos returned to his Creator in the early hours of Monday.

    In a condolence statement signed by the Amir of the society, Mallam Kamoldeen Abiona, MSSNLagos described Prof Bidmos as a towering figure in Islamic scholarship and education.

    Read Also: Alleged N400m fraud: IG amends charge filed against Andy Uba, Etu

     “As a distinguished professor of Islamic Education and the brain behind the establishment of the Diploma in Mosque Leadership and Management at the University of Lagos’ Human Resource Development Centre, he played a pivotal role in shaping leadership in Islamic institutions,” he said.

    Abiona added that his ascetic lifestyle and unwavering devotion to Islam were evident in his frequent commitment to nurturing generations of scholars and leaders.

    He said: “As we grieve this immense loss, we find solace in the profound impact he made in the lives of many. We pray that Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and give his family, the UNILAG Muslim community, and the entire Muslim Ummah the fortitude to bear this great loss. May his legacy continue to inspire generations to come.”

  • UNILAG Estate’s residents accuse council of interfering in election

    UNILAG Estate’s residents accuse council of interfering in election

    • LCDA: ‘we acted within the law’

    Residents of University of Lagos Estate, Magodo, have accused  the Ikosi/ Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA),  of acting above its constitutional powers by attempting to cancel a properly conducted election in the estate.

    The angry residents, in a protest letter, said the council is overreaching itself and meddling on matters the residents believe their internal mechanism can resolve.

    Trouble started when the estate conducted its election last November 30, under the Chairmanship of Omotola Rotimi, who, together with her team, came up with election guidelines and modalities which stressed that election campaign must stop at midnight Thursday, November 28.

    The Nation, however,  learnt  that the out-going Chairman, Alhaji  Adebayo Ibrahim Alli, who was also a candidate for the chairmanship position, while addressing the  Annual General Meeting (AGM),  asked his supporters to vote massively for him  in view of his achievements.

    However, some residents condemned Alli’s action and subsequently, wrote a petition during the electoral process calling on the Election Committee to disqualify him from re-contesting as he has ran foul of the electoral laws of the estate.

    The Election Committee, The Nation learnt, did a head count with a result of 24 people against four for Alli and declared him disqualified. The committee also said any vote cast for him amounts to zero.

    A resident, Prof Olatunde Makanju, said, for instance, that at the close of the election and the announcement of the results, the other candidate, Oluwole Muftau Sowole, garnered 81 votes with four votes declared invalid and was subsequently declared the winner.

    Accordingly, Sowole read his acceptance speech in the presence of three council officials that registered their presence and also took photographs with the new chairman.

    Prof Makanju, however, said residents of the estate were taken aback when supporters of  Alli took over the estate social media platforms and started spreading falsehood by declaring himself winner of the election with 98 votes when the Election Committee accredited 179 voters and the rightful winner got 81 votes.

    Another resident, Prof Babafemi Badejo, said apart from the infraction of asking the electorate in the estate to vote for him at the AGM, the former chairman had another infraction against a resolution passed that there should be no major expense from the purse.

    Read Also: NANS threatens to shutdown UNILAG over fee hikes

    Prof Badejo alleged that Alli instructed the security men to remove the poster of the candidate for the Treasurer position because he had a preferred candidate. He also accused him of putting his billboard outside the estate against the electoral guidelines.            

    Badejo said the former chairman’s supporters wrote to the Committee for Dispute Resolution which declined hearing.

    The Elders Committee, which is made up of past chairmen and secretaries and four residents above 80 years, chaired by Prof Funsho Akere, also couldn’t interfere because the infraction was so clear.

    Rather, the Elders Committee asked a representative of the council present at the election to share his observation with the Elders Committee to have insight into what transpired, but he allegedly refused, saying he has submitted his report to the council Chairman.

    The Elders Council was left with no option but to take a decision that the newly elected chairman should continue in office until their investigation is concluded.     

    When The Nation reached out to Alli to get his side of the story, he said he is not in a position to say anything, but that a group, Justice and Peace, has written a petition to the council about what he termed “a flawed election.”

    He questioned why his votes were not counted and his opponent declared winner of the election. He, however, expressed faith that the Elders’ Committee will do the right thing and declare him winner of the election.

    However, a council official, Yinusa Salami, claimed that it’s the constitutional right of the council to monitor elections done in the CDA’s under the council area.

    He accepted that UNILAG Estate wrote the LCDA of their intention to conduct election but didn’t get official response from them before going ahead with the election.

    He denied that the council was represented in the election, claiming that anybody could have claimed that he came from the council.

    Salami said: “The Council was not there, didn’t send a representative and there was no official communication between us and the estate as to the date of the election.

    “Afterwards, we received a petition from the incumbent chairman that his votes were not counted after the election.  As an arbiter, we invited both parties to get to the root of the crisis and to know why a candidate will vie for a position and his votes will not be counted while declaring his opponent a winner. Our interest is for peace to reign in the estate rather than taking sides with any group” he added.

    The Nation, however, gathered that a February 10 held meeting for both parties at the council secretariat did not achieve much. But the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Bada, was said to have scheduled another meeting to seek  peaceful resolution of the impasse.

    Princess Bada, however, faulted the election for not holding in August and not having an official of the council as witness.

  • UNILAG honours AXA Mansard chairman Adesina with doctoral degree 

    UNILAG honours AXA Mansard chairman Adesina with doctoral degree 

     The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Kola Adesina, Chairman of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc. 

     According to UNILAG, the prestigious recognition celebrates Adesina’s exceptional contributions as a “globally renowned entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning academia, finance, trade, diplomacy, and the energy sector.” 

     On the award, Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Rashidat Adebisi, congratulated Adesina, noting that this honour underscores Adesina’s significant impact on Nigeria and Africa’s growth and development. 

    She praised his unwavering commitment to excellence and human capital development, highlighting that it is no surprise that a prestigious institution like UNILAG is honouring him.

    “As a business, we have greatly benefited from Adesina’s vast expertise and wealth of experience. 

    His outstanding leadership and dedication to our nation’s progress are truly remarkable.

    ‘’We are immensely proud to be associated with him and celebrate this milestone. We believe this honour will inspire Mr. Adesina to continue being a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape,” Adebisi stated.

    Read Also; FULL LIST: Addresses of NYSC orientation camps in Nigeria

    Also, the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Kunle Ahmed, lauded Adesina’s virtues and emphasised that the honorary degree is a testament to Mr. Adesina’s exemplary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence. 

    “Mr. Adesina’s visionary approach has been pivotal in driving our company’s success and positively influencing our ambition to transition from a payer to a partner. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition,” Ahmed remarked. 

    The conferment ceremony at UNILAG’s main auditorium was graced by dignitaries from various sectors, including academia, finance, and industry, who gathered to honour Mr. Adesina’s remarkable achievements and contributions.

  • UNILAG Confers Ph.D Degrees on 213 Graduands at 55th convocation

    UNILAG Confers Ph.D Degrees on 213 Graduands at 55th convocation

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has awarded Ph.D degrees to 213 graduands from its School of Postgraduate Studies during its 55th convocation ceremonies.

    The hooding ceremony, held at the institution’s Sports Centre, marked a historic achievement for the university, with the highest number of Ph.D recipients in its history.

    Speaking at the event, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Abraham Osinubi, expressed delight at the milestone.

    “This year’s convocation sets a record. Last year, we had 155 Ph.D graduates in 2023. This year, we graduated 213 Ph.D holders. This is the highest so far in the history of the university. We are so proud of it,” he said.

    Read Also; Tinubu mourns passing of House Deputy Chief Whip Onanuga

    He also encouraged the graduands to strive for excellence in their respective fields, emphasizing the importance of contributing to societal growth and development.

    “The quality and debt of what we are having now is encouraging. We are very proud of it. I make bold to say that this is the foremost post graduate school in the whole of west Africa. 

    “We are so proud of our graduands. They are not going to disappoint us. They’re going to excel in various fields. They have acquired so much over the years and we are so glad to project them to the world. 

    “For the record, we got a donor to build our School of postgraduate Studies. The building is an ultramodern one. This building can do without the national grid. It is efficient energy saving. We have not had building of our own for year,” he noted.

    One of the graduands from the department of Mass communication and the Director of Media and Communication Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Ademola Olajire, expressed gratitude for scaling through despite the hurdles.

    “It was never easy. It’s a journey of six years. It was challenging but I scaled through. I give gratitude to God Almighty, my bosses in the office and my family. Sometimes I travel from Abuja to Lagos for weeks because of school. At the end of the day, the joy is that it’s a success,” he expressed.

  • UNILAG holds ceremony for ultramodern Fanimokun SPGS building

    UNILAG holds ceremony for ultramodern Fanimokun SPGS building

    As part of the activities marking the University of Lagos (UNILAG) 2024 convocation ceremonies, the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the ultramodern Fanimokun SPGS building.

    The new site, located next to the UNILAG Human Resources and Development Centre (HRDC), was donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun, a renowned administrator and developmental economist.

    In addition to the SPGS building, Chief Fanimokun pledged to donate a Language Laboratory, establish a Professorial Chair in Gerontology, and support infrastructure development for student hostels and staff housing.

    Read Also; Tinubu mourns passing of House Deputy Chief Whip Onanuga

    Speaking at the event, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, commended Chief Fanimokun for his generosity. “We are excited. All these happened late November to December 2024. Everything we had dreamed of happened auspiciously. Thank you, sir, for not forgetting us,” she said.

    Chief Fanimokun, who celebrated his 80th birthday, described the project as a reflection of his lifelong commitment to education and development.

    “I call myself a pensioner.  I learnt a lot about entrepreneurship from Jakande, the pillar for development in Nigeria. What I’m doing now is in celebration of my 80th birthday, thanking God for the little achievements, for launching my foundation, the Divine Stock Exchange foundation. 

    “I want to revive educational standard that is why I did what I did. I am doing five projects for UNILAG,” he said.

    The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Abraham Osinubi, described the project  as the actualization of the vision to reposition postgraduate studies in UNILAG.

    While appreciating the benefactor of the edifice,  Prof. Osinubi noted that the project, when completed, would inspire educators deliver world class postgraduate education, mentor with purpose and lead with vision.

    “The building would stand as a beacon of hope, a temple of knowledge, and a sanctuary where dreams are nurtured and destinies are shaped.

    “Chief Fanimokun, we cannot thank you enough, but we will honour your legacy by ensuring that this building becomes a cradle of innovation, collaboration and excellency,” he said.