Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, FAS, marked a new chapter in the history of the University of Lagos with her appointment as the 1st female and 13th Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council on Friday, October 7, 2022.
Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe was born on May 31, 1960, in Nigeria. He is a Nigerian academic and a professor of botany. Ogundipe obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Botany from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He holds a master’s degree in botany and a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the same university. He also obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. Ogundipe began his academic career at the University of Lagos as a lecturer and rose to the rank of professor of Botany in 2002.
He served as the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies from August 2007 to July 2011 and as the Director of the Academic Planning Unit from April 2012 to April 20161.
In November 2017, he was appointed as the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos.
Prior to his appointment, he was the deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. Ogundipe was removed from his position as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos by the university’s governing council following accusations of financial impropriety and gross misconduct.
However, he was reinstated by President Muhammadu Buhari based on the recommendation of an investigative panel which found that the removal was not done with due process.
Born in 1950, Professor Sofoluwe assumed office on 31 January 2010 with the mission of ensuring that the University of Lagos is ranked among the first 100 universities in the world by 2015. Before his abrupt demise, he was close to achieving this feat having had the webometrics ranking of universities, released on 16th July 2012, placing UNILAG in number one position in Nigeria, 2nd in West Africa, and 16th in Africa and among the first 1000 in the world.
Professor Sofoluwe was also able to upgrade the power supply to the campus. Among the list of the projects he commissioned were the N25.4 Million Terratem Base Equipment for the Department of Geosciences and the Ultra Modern English Language Laboratory. It was during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor that the National Universities Commission (NUC) conducted the first Institutional Accreditation of Nigeria Universities in November/December 2011. The result, which was released in early 2012, granted the University full institutional accreditation for the next seven years.
Born in 1945 at Ado-Ekiti, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Ekiti State, Nigeria), Professor Odugbemi is the second alumnus of the University of Lagos to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University. He is a visionary and goal-oriented Professor of Medical Microbiology and an educational administrator par excellence. He received the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award in 2007 and Officer of the Order of the Niger Award in 2008. The vision for Professor Odugbemi’s Vice-Chancellorship at UNILAG are articulated in the “Green Book: Actualising the University of Lagos of Our Dream.” To boost the visibility of the University and its global ratings, Prof. Odugbemi implemented the Laptop for All (Staff and Students) project. During his time, the Parks and Gardens Unit worked round the clock to execute various beautification projects such as the rehabilitation of The Lagoon Front, the Botanical and Zoological Gardens etc. The entrance into the University was also redefined with the construction of the UBA – UNILAG Leisure Park.
Born in 1949 at Ile Ife, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Osun State, Nigeria), Professor Ibidapo-Obe was the first alumnus of the University of Lagos to be appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University. In 2004 he was conferred a national honor as the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Born in 1941 at Ijebu-Ode, Southern Region Nigeria (now Ogun State), Professor Omotola’s tenure brought about the existence of the: Multipurpose Halls A, B & C (which has now been named after him as Jelili Adebisi Omotola Halls); Faculty of Law Annex; Postgraduate Building, among several other edifices. History has it that Professor Omotola’s efforts to establish financial independence for the University through massive increase in its income generating revenue drive became the standard for effective and sustainable administration of the University.
The Professor of Geography was in no small measure an astute, transparent and benevolent administrator as Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG. He was remembered as being a highly disciplined, peaceful, incorruptible and humble Vice-Chancellor.
Born in 1927 at Aba, Abia State , Professor Akin. Adesola’s tenure as UNILAG VC witnessed the: construction of the University’s iconic Senate House building and road kerbs popularly referred to as “Eyin Adesola”; refurbishment of UNILAG Computer Centre and Guest Houses; establishment of on-campus secondary school (International School, University of Lagos (ISL)) etc. In June 2000, he was awarded Emeritus Professor of the University of Lagos.
Born in 1933 at Lagos, British Nigeria , Professor Adadevoh was one of the great UNILAG Vice-Chancellors who passed on the greatness in his bloodline to his daughter, the heroic late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh whose bravery notably curbed a wider spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria.
Born in 1929 at Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State , Professor Ade. Ajayi was a renowned historian whose tenure as UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor witnessed the: adoption of the faculty system fo the entire university by the senate, conceding the collegiate system only to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) in June 1973; construction of about twenty-one (21) buildings and extensions of buildings (Main Auditorium now named after him as J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, King Jaja Hall, Queen Amina Hall extension, Queen Moremi Hall extension, UNILAG Sports Centre, Faculty & Department buildings <Arts, Science, Chemical Engineering, Mass Communication>, Advanced Legal Studies, Medical Centre, Conference Centre and Guest Houses, to mention a few) etc. It was also during his tenure that the derogatory “Eko for show” was turned around to “Eko for Gold” when UNILAG made a tremendous appearance at the 7th NUGA Games hosted by UNILAG in 1978 where the University clinched nineteen (19) gold medals, second to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University)’s twenty (20) gold medals.
In 1993, Professor Ade. Ajayi was awarded the “Distinguished Africanist Award” by the African Studies Association
Born in 1918 at Abeokuta, Ogu State , Professor Biobaku was one of the pioneers of African History and joined some of his contemporaries in introducing a new perspective to the study of Nigerian History. His tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos witnessed several landmark achievements such as: infrastructural development; the first convocation ceremony (held in January 15, 1968) of the University, during which the foundation stone of the University was laid by the Prime Minister, late Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Justin Mariere was name the first Chancellor and doctorate degrees were conferred on six (6) others; promulgation of the University of Lagos Decree (which even though amended severally, remains the basis of university operations and administration); the integration of medical school into the university etc.
Born in 1917 at Ebem, Abia State , Professor Njoku was among the first sets of Nigerian professors and was the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. He pioneered photoperiodic research in Africa and he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) of the University of Lagos in 1973 amongst other honorary awards.
Established over six decades ago, the University of Lagos has been a beacon of qualitative and research-oriented education for thousands of knowledge seekers who come to its domain from Nigeria and Abroad.Â
UNILAG’s vibrant community sprouts from a fountain of distinction, which produces top-tier graduates and academia whose impactful contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s growth and development.
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