UNILAG: VC commends FG, stakeholders for interventions, calls for more
UNILAG: VC commends FG, stakeholders for interventions, calls for more
Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, the Vice Chancellor(VC) of University of Lagos(UNILAG), says infrastructure remains key to human capital development and technological advancement.
Ogunshola made this assertion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
She said that for any nation to overcome poverty, improve living standards, and achieve rapid national development, significant investment in infrastructure—especially in education—was essential.
According to her, universities bear the responsibility of addressing national challenges and therefore deserve top-tier infrastructure.
Highlighting collaborative efforts between university stakeholders and Federal Government interventions, she said these had strengthened and enhanced the quality of academic activities.
“We have engaged the private sector more aggressively, attracting numerous donors interested in partnering with us.
“For example, some of our hostels operate under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
“Staff housing is expected to be completed by September, the Ade Ajayi auditorium is currently being renovated, and a donated student hostel project has an approved site,” she explained.
The VC also mentioned the recent renovation of the university library and the donation of a new School of Postgraduate Studies building, with construction soon to begin after the turning of the sod ceremony.
She further disclosed that a donor was collaborating with the university to digitise the campus, with most work expected to be completed by December and full completion anticipated in 2026.
“We have been working since 2023 to digitise our Akoka campus and connect it via underground cable to the Idi-Araba campus.
” We are also digitising all administrative processes, reflected in the ongoing improvements to our website.
“Our data centre is being upgraded for cloud storage, but the most exciting development is the full automation of our processes,” she said.
Ogunshola emphasised the deployment of CCTV as another key area of focus, crediting her predecessor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, for initiating the project.
“The initial plan for 1,000 CCTV cameras was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have since revived it.
” Installation has now moved to our Idi-Araba campus to enhance security,” she added.
She commended the federal government’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and university mandates.
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“The government has shown passion in upholding the institution’s integrity through funding and infrastructure provision.”
According the her, UNILAG strategically uses funds from TETFund, NEEDS assessments, and federal grants to address critical challenges.
“This year’s TETFund allocation focuses on the Idi-Araba campus, which now hosts nine to ten programmes, up from just medicine when it was established.
“The hostels and facilities there are due for a major overhaul,” she noted.
Ogunshola highlighted the government’s investment in the College to boost the production of health workers necessary for the country.
“We need top-class facilities to meet growing demand.
“Our goal is not only to increase the number of graduates but also to improve quality, working closely with industry, government, and the diaspora to learn from one another,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude for the federal government’s donation of 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to improve transportation around the campuses.
“Given the rising transportation costs, this support is timely. Along with the buses, we received a station for converting vehicles to CNG or hybrid along University Road,” she said.
“This addition will ease movement between campuses, complementing the university’s existing fleet of about 30 electric buses, up from 10 in 2024.
“The electric buses, supported by solar power, have reduced travel costs and emissions, and students love them,” Ogunshola added.
