Education

UNILAG Senate meets to choose acting VC

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2020

The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is presently meeting to choose an Acting Vice-Chancellor despite the institution’s Registrar, Oladejo Azeez sending an email to Senate members to wait for further clarification on their assignment.

This follows President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on Friday that due process should be followed – which is that the Senate should elect an Ag. VC as opposed to the Governing Council doing so.

The President also asked the Council-appointed Ag. VC, Prof. Theophilus Soyombo to step down

In a mail titled: “Notice to All Senate members”, Oladejjo Azeez, who has been an ally of the Governing Council chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said no meeting had been summoned.

Babalakin and the embattled VC the Council removed, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, were asked to recuse themselves from the affairs of the University until the Visitation panel set up to look into the university’s affairs concludes its investigation.

Oladejo’s mail reads: “This is to inform all Senate members that no meeting of the Senate has been summoned.

“Members should await proper Notice of Meeting after the Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified some issues germane to the meeting.”

The Registrar also signed a letter addressed to the Head, Auditorium Management Unit, J.J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos and pasted around the main auditorium, venue of the Senate meeting, instructing the official not to make any facility available for the Senate meeting for the same reason.

It reads in part: “It follows that you do not make any of your facilities available for any meeting until otherwise advised.”

However, the Senate convened regardless.

A member of the Senate (names withheld) told The Nation that Oladejo was not a member of the Senate.

“Oladejo is not a member of the Senate. We are about to start in the Main Auditorium,” the source said

The source said the Senate would vote one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola (DVC Development Services), or Prof. Ben Oghojafor (DVC Management Services) as Acting VC.

“Meeting is ongoing. We are waiting for ballot papers to vote for the Acting VC that is Prof Folasade Ogunsola and Prof Ben Oghojafor,” the source said.

The NATION

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Education

Historic Matriculation: EUN Unveils ₦50bn Research Endowment

Published

7 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Chancellor of the European University of Nigeria (EUN), Nicholas Ukachukwu, has announced the establishment of a ₦50 billion research endowment fund aimed at driving innovation and cutting-edge research across specialised disciplines in the institution.

Ukachukwu disclosed this during an interview on the sidelines of the university’s maiden matriculation ceremony, explaining that the fund would support research in critical sectors such as medicine, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and other technical fields.

According to him, the initiative is designed to ensure that research carried out at the university produces practical solutions with real societal impact rather than remaining purely theoretical.

“We set up this university to be a centre for research, and the ₦50 billion endowment fund will focus on special categories of research and disciplines,” he said.

The chancellor explained that the university intends to support research from the discovery stage to practical application, particularly in areas such as drug development and technological innovation.

He noted that breakthroughs in these areas require specialised expertise, modern equipment and sustained investment, adding that the institution is committed to creating an enabling environment for researchers and students.

Ukachukwu emphasised that the research culture at EUN would be driven by results and societal relevance.

“I cannot call people, including myself, to put together ₦50 billion and allow research outcomes to gather dust on shelves. Whatever we invest in must produce results and impact lives,” he said.

He added that the university aims to nurture students who think beyond conventional classroom learning and develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.

Ukachukwu further revealed that the institution is building a centre of excellence equipped with advanced technology and highly skilled professionals, noting that government institutions may eventually collaborate with the university to benefit from its facilities and research outputs.

According to him, the university expects to begin seeing significant outcomes from its research investments within the next one to five years.Earlier in his welcome address at the matriculation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of EUN, Emmanuel Ibezim, urged the pioneer students to pursue academic excellence, discipline and innovation throughout their stay at the institution.

Ibezim described the event as historic, noting that it marked the formal admission of the university’s first set of students.He said the university is committed to producing graduates who are intellectually sound, ethically grounded and globally competitive.

“Your admission into this university is a testament to your hard work and potential. However, admission is only the first step; what truly matters is what you do with the opportunity before you,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the students that the institution would provide quality teaching, modern laboratories, digital learning resources and mentorship to support their academic development.

He urged them to embrace critical thinking, creativity and innovation while making effective use of the university’s learning facilities.Ibezim also stressed that the university maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, harassment, drug abuse and other forms of misconduct, advising students to strictly adhere to the institution’s rules and regulations.

He further encouraged the students to participate in approved extracurricular activities, sports and leadership programmes to build teamwork and leadership skills that would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

The Vice-Chancellor also assured parents and guardians that the university management remains committed to improving teaching, research, infrastructure, innovation and student welfare.

A highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the matriculation oath and the signing of the matriculation register by the pioneer students, formally admitting them into the academic community of the university.

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