The Faculty of Science, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, July 3, 2025, rolled out the drums to celebrate an extraordinary 60-year journey of academic excellence, innovation, and impact.
Held at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), the milestone anniversary brought together a vibrant mix of past and present leaders, distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, and students.
With the theme, “Faculty of Science: 60 Years Before and 60 Years from Now,” the celebration showcased six decades of pioneering research and charted an ambitious roadmap for the next era of scientific advancement.
A Mother Faculty
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS at the event, commended the Faculty’s legacy of shaping minds, inspiring innovation, and contributing immensely to the leadership history of UNILAG.
A distinguished alumna and leader of the Faculty, Prof. Oboh disclosed that three new faculties will emerge from the Faculty of Science by August 1, 2025, She charged members of the new faculties to leverage past successes to confront emerging scientific challenges.
Her words, “Three new faculties will emerge from the Faculty of Science by August 1, 2025. That is proof of the solid legacy of impact and nurture this Faculty has established – and I will encourage you to keep up the spirit of unity and collaboration that has pushed you to the top among faculties.”
The new faculties are: Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Faculty of Earth and Physical Sciences, and Faculty of Biological and Life Sciences.
She congratulated the Faculty of Science for its growth from a modest school of 12 academic staff and 24 students in 1962 to a robust intellectual hub of teaching and non-teaching staff, which has produced over 200,000 alumni in its six decades of existence.
Worthy Ambassadors
The Dean of Science, the first female in its six-decade existence, Prof. Olayinka Asekun, highlighted how the Faculty has become a beacon of academic distinction, leadership development, and a catalyst for national development.
She extolled the service of the forbears of the faculty, right from its establishment in 1962, the dedication of those who have built upon their works, and the excellence of the alumni – hundreds of thousands of them – who have shone brightly as ambassadors of the faculty.
“Our alumni have given us a reason to be proud. Not only have they excelled in their various callings, shining bright as ambassadors of the UNILAG brand; they have remained our strong pillars of support, always ready to come to our aid every time we call. Today’s event is evident of that. As a faculty, we did not spend a dime to put this together. For that, we remain grateful.”
Prof. Olayinka Asekun holds the distinction of being the last Dean of the Faculty of Science, as it were, and the pioneer Dean of the emerging Faculty of Earth and Physical Sciences.
Innovation, Visibility, Partnership
One of the high points of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by a veteran Geologist and scholar-practitioner, Dr. Kehinde Ladipo, FAS, who inspired the audience with reflections on the Faculty’s achievements and a clarion call to imagine the next 60 years with audacity and purpose.
He charged the present generation of the Faculty of Science to ramp up efforts in innovation and visibility, thereby positioning the faculty as the worth partner of Industry.
“All through my career, I’ve had a leg in Industry and Academia. Therefore, I know from experience that university research and development (R&D) initiatives must build strategic partnerships with Industry through collaboration and consistent cultivation of a solid reputation.”, he said.
He advocated for a “Bottom-Up Approach” in the design of university R&D initiatives which will align with Industry demands, and charged varsity directorates of partnership to work on greater visibility for the good works of their respective universities.
Dr. Ladipo referenced the Shell Centre of Excellence in Geosciences at the University of Lagos as a good example of Industry-Academia collaboration, and called for increased collaboration among the new faculties and departments that will emerge from the Faculty of Science.
“As you expand the faculty, let us ensure that no department does research in isolation”, he charged.
“A place of discipline and destiny”
The programme featured goodwill messages from supporters of the faculty, a showcase of notable alumni whose careers have shaped industries and academia, and recognition of retired senior staff whose contributions laid the foundation for the Faculty’s growth.
Notable among them was the message from the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya. A distinguished alumnus of the faculty, he was represented at the event by the Vice-Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Prof. Elijah Ojelabi who is also an alumnus of the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Olukoya, in his message, described the Faculty of Science as “a place of discipline and destiny”, a molding ground for great men and women who have contributed to the growth and development of the country in various sectors. He prayed for the continued prosperity of the faculty, especially in its expanded form.
The Managing Director of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, was also among the distinguished alumni present at the event. He commended the leadership of Professor Asekun, particularly in leveraging its alumni network to integrate the faculty with industry, and affirmed their readiness to keep supporting the faculty, even with its expansion into three new faculties.
Awards and Recognition
Deserving alumni, staff and students, were recognized with different awards in a moment charged with gratitude and nostalgia. There were awards for Best Student of the Year, Outstanding Lecturer of the Year, and Outstanding Non-Teaching Staff of the Year across the twelve departments of the faculty.
Guests were treated to a creative performance by students of the Department of Creative Arts, followed by group photographs that captured the spirit of unity and celebration.
In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, the Anniversary Chairman, Prof. Elijah Oyeyemi, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who made the event a successful one. He lauded the collective efforts that have sustained the Faculty’s prominence and called for renewed commitment to scientific excellence.
As the Faculty of Science looks ahead, the anniversary underscored not only a rich heritage but also a bold aspiration, i.e. to remain at the forefront of discovery and learning: today, tomorrow, and sixty years from now!
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
Photography: Joshua Michael
2 responses
This is a milestone achievement for the faculty of science of the University of Lagos.
I am indeed proud to be a product of the University Faculty.
Well done Professor Asekun.