The Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, brought together academics, industry practitioners, students and other stakeholders for its Town and Gown Programme and 12th Project Management Lecture Series, with discussions focused on professionalism, effective project delivery and the future of Nigeria’s built environment.
Town and Gown Programme
The Town and Gown Programme, themed “ Making the Most of Building as a Process, a Product and a Profession,” was held at Jelili Omotola Hall, UNILAG, in honour of the late Professor Reuben Iyagba, initiator of the Annual Project Management Programme at UNILAG.
Representing the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Professor Olumide Adenuga, said building goes beyond putting bricks, concrete, steel and other materials together. He described building as a process, a product and a profession, noting that each dimension carries enormous responsibilities and opportunities.
According to him, as a process, the quality of any building begins long before construction commences, while as a product, a building is ultimately judged by what it delivers to its users.
“The greatest asset is therefore not merely technology or materials, but competent, ethical and innovative professionals,” he said.
Professor Adenuga further noted that universities have a responsibility to continually bridge the gap between theory and practice, town and gown, as well as education and industry.
He challenged graduates to go beyond understanding how to build, urging them to understand why they build, for whom they build, and the environmental, social and economic consequences of what they build.
In his address, the Head, Department of Building, Professor Martin Dada, said the Town and Gown Programme was designed to generate ideas and awaken the consciousness of undergraduates, graduates, academics, industry practitioners and other stakeholders to the untapped potentials of the building ecosystem.
He said the programme was also aimed at ensuring that theoretical knowledge found practical expression, hence the engagement of seasoned professionals to share their experiences and perspectives with participants.
The Chairman of the event and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, 225MMConstruct Limited, Builder Ahmed Lawal, emphasised the importance of attention to detail and commitment to quality in building construction.
He urged students to prioritise high standards and develop the competence required to meet global expectations, stressing that there was no shortcut to excellence.
One of the resource persons, Group Managing Director, HI-Construct Investment Limited, Builder Fatai Olugbade, PMP, said effective building projects depend largely on the quality of processes adopted from inception to completion.
He explained that process should not be viewed merely as bureaucracy surrounding construction, but as the sequence of decisions that ultimately shapes the outcome of a project.
According to him, problems witnessed on construction sites, including collapsed slabs, cost overruns and abandoned projects, could often be traced to decisions made months or years earlier.
Builder Olugbade, who spoke from the perspective of a Project Management Professional, said every decision in a building project carries a cost when wrongly made.
While challenging professionals to uphold standards at every level, he stressed the need for stakeholders in the building industry to embrace process, product and professionalism as interconnected dimensions that must be properly addressed in every building project.
Another resource person and UNILAG alumnus, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Erectas Engineering Nigeria Limited, Builder Morenikeji Lukmon Opaleye, charged students to approach their academic and professional development intentionally. He urged them to embrace curiosity, quality, versatility, skill development, professional registration, mentorship and integrity.
Builder Opaleye said his professional growth had been significantly influenced by mentors who supported and challenged him throughout his career. He encouraged the students to see the challenges confronting the built environment as opportunities for professional intervention.
12th Project Management Lecture
The afternoon session featured the 12th Project Management Lecture Series of the Department of Building, with the theme, “ Addressing Infrastructural Deficit in a Complex and Uncertain World through Effective Infrastructure Project Delivery .”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor at the lecture, Professor Adenuga noted that the challenge confronting developing countries was no longer simply the absence of infrastructure, but the ability to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently, sustainably and affordably, while meeting expected timelines and quality standards.
The Head of Department, Professor Martin Dada, in his remarks, said the annual Project Management Lecture remained a platform for generating ideas that would strengthen project management education and practice while helping to harness Nigeria’s vast resources for improved quality of life.
The Chairman of the occasion, Oba-elect and Olu of Ifo, His Royal Majesty Olumide Osunsina, FNIOB, stressed the importance of quality infrastructure to economic development. He noted that well-executed infrastructure could enhance the economic prospects of communities and improve the quality of life of residents.
Oba Osunsina, who cited some infrastructure projects executed in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, said projects that successfully passed the test of effective project management would ultimately speak for themselves and enhance the reputation of their creators.
Speaking on the importance of financial discipline in Project Management, UNILAG Alumnus, Chief Commercial Officer at MAC Group, UK, and former Associate Director at KPMG, UK, Professor Yakubu Olawale, stressed the need for appropriate costing, accurate accounting and adherence to global best practices.
While explaining the concept of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) as part of key factors that can plague infrastructure projects, Prof. Olawale noted that project figures must align with project requirements to ensure quality delivery, adding that successful project management was not a one-man endeavour.
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Builder (Mrs) Florence Gbaye who was represented at the event also emphasised the importance of maintaining building standards and regulatory compliance.
The representative highlighted cases of building collapse and noted that the Lagos State Government had strengthened the agency’s regulatory framework to safeguard lives and property through strict enforcement of building standards.
The event was attended by members of the family of the late Professor Reuben Iyagba, including Professor Mrs Tonye Okorie and Professor Apele Iyagba; the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Professor Olumiyiwa Odusanya; Executive Chairman, REO-Habilis, Builder Kunle Awobodu; and other academics, industry professionals, students and stakeholders in the built environment.
