The University of Lagos Governing Council has said it will reposition the institution as a globally competitive university, leveraging its assets, strategic Lagos location, technological potential, and human capital.
The UNILAG governing council affirmed this resolve at a retreat held in Lagos from April 2 to April 5.
The retreat with the theme, “UNILAG Beyond Today: Unlocking Value, Optimising Assets & Location, and Shaping the Future,” was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun.
Setting the tone, Olanipekun said the retreat aimed to assess the university’s current realities and explore strategies to optimise its resources, assets, and location.
He added that the convergence also aimed at shaping the future of the institution, unlocking the university’s full potential by identifying untapped value across academic, financial, and infrastructural assets.
“Our goal is clear, to reposition UNILAG as a globally competitive institution that is ready to embrace innovation and utilise its strategic assets effectively.
“We must capitalise on our location. Lagos is not only the commercial hub of Nigeria but also a thriving tech ecosystem. UNILAG can leverage this to form meaningful partnerships and contribute to the city’s development,” Olanipekun said.
Olanipekun reiterated the council’s commitment to executing the recommendations from the retreat.
He stressed the importance of strong leadership, transparency, and collaboration in driving UNILAG’s transformation.
“This retreat has laid the groundwork for the future of UNILAG. The time to act is now. Together, we will ensure that UNILAG continues to be a leader in higher education, both in Nigeria and globally,” Olanipekun added.
A communique made available to The PUNCH on Monday said the retreat gathered key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, deans, directors, and experts from various fields.
Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, in her remarks, highlighted the strengths of the university in research excellence and international partnerships.
She, however, acknowledged the challenges faced by the institution in adapting to the changing educational landscape.
“We are committed to ensuring that UNILAG remains at the forefront of academic excellence, but we must be willing to evolve and make bold decisions to unlock the full potential of our resources,” Ogunsola stated.
She maintained that accelerating the integration of AI into teaching, research, and administration would enhance the university’s global competitiveness.
“Embracing AI and digital tools is no longer optional.
“It is crucial for our survival and success in the future. We are committed to transforming UNILAG into a smart, digitally-driven institution,” Ogunsola said.
A key moment in the retreat was the presentation by former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University and President of the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, who spoke on the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence in transforming higher education in Nigeria.
“The future of Nigerian universities hinges on our willingness to embrace AI.
“AI is not a distant fantasy; it is here, and it is reshaping global education. Let us not be spectators, but architects of an AI-powered higher education system that is inclusive, innovative, and impactful,” Ogunbodede said.
He outlined several challenges facing AI integration in Nigerian universities, including infrastructure deficits, policy and funding gaps, and a lack of AI literacy among academic staff.
Despite these hurdles, Ogunbodede emphasised the urgent need for Nigerian universities, particularly UNILAG, to act swiftly in embracing AI technologies.
“The future of Nigerian universities will be defined by how quickly we embrace the opportunities that AI presents. UNILAG must be ready to lead this charge.
“UNILAG is already a leader in this area, but there is much more to be done.
“The question is not whether AI will redefine Nigerian universities, but how quickly and strategically we will embrace it,” he said.
The communique held that retreat also focused on the critical need to optimise UNILAG’s strategic assets, particularly its prime location in Lagos and the potential of its lagoon front.
“Recommendations were made to develop the university’s real estate for both academic and commercial purposes, to generate additional revenue through public-private partnerships.
“The retreat underscored the importance of digital transformation for the university’s long-term growth.
“The retreat culminated in the creation of an actionable roadmap for implementing the strategies discussed.
“The Governing Council has committed to prioritising the development of a digital transformation office, which will oversee the integration of AI and other technologies across the university’s operations,” the communique read.
