The University of Lagos (UNILAG) held its statutory Congregation meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The session featured progress reports and the electronic election of Congregation representatives into statutory bodies of the University.
The hybrid meeting, held physically at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, Main Campus, Akoka, and virtually via Zoom, commenced shortly after the required quorum of five hundred and twelve (512) members was attained. Proceedings began on a solemn note with a minute of silence in honour of fifteen (15) members of staff and five (5) students who had passed away since the last Congregation Meeting of Friday, September 19, 2025.
In her capacity as Chairperson of Congregation, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, declared the meeting open and presented her address. She highlighted the activities and achievements of her administration, exactly one hundred (100) days to the end of her fourth year in office.
Professor Ogunsola called on members of staff to deepen their commitment to high-quality research, impactful scholarship, innovative teaching, and excellent service as the University works to consolidate its position among the world’s leading institutions. She noted that UNILAG’s retention of its position as Nigeria’s joint highest-ranked university in the latest Times Higher Education Rankings reflects the dedication, resilience, and hard work of both staff and students.
According to her, sustaining and improving this standing will require greater commitment to cutting-edge research, quality scholarly publications, innovation in teaching and learning, and meaningful contributions to society.
The Vice-Chancellor also provided updates on major developments across the University. These included staff welfare programmes, ongoing recruitment, capacity-building programmes, student-focused interventions, and other strategic initiatives designed to strengthen academic excellence, institutional growth, and long-term sustainability.
Click here to read the full text of the Vice-Chancellor’s address.
Following her presentation, Professor Ogunsola responded to questions from members of Congregation. The interactive session focused on appointments and promotions, welfare, housing, transportation, and other matters affecting the University community.
The Registrar and Secretary to Congregation, Mrs. Abosede V. Wickliffe, subsequently presented the list of nominated candidates and available vacancies for Congregation representatives on the following statutory bodies:
- Senate
- Budget Monitoring Committee
- Housing Committee
- ISL Management Board
The election was conducted through an electronic voting (e-voting) system, enabling members to vote from different locations while ensuring speedy collation and announcement of results. The Director of Quality Assurance and SERVICOM, Professor Olufemi Saibu, served as the Returning Officer.
Announcing the results, the Registrar declared the following candidates elected:
- Senate: One hundred and four (104) representatives were returned unopposed.
- Budget Monitoring Committee: Mr Oluwaseun Adewale Falode.
- Housing Committee: Dr Adedeji Aliyu Ajao and Dr Akarawak Eno Emmanuella.
- ISL Management Board: Mrs Ajelabi Adebimpe Adenike and Dr AbdulGaniy Ridwanilah Iyanda.
The full list of elected representatives is available HERE.
Congregation is a statutory body of the University comprising members of staff who hold a first university degree. The Resolution of Senate of May 24, 1967, on the membership and functions of Congregation provides:
«”In addition to members of Congregation as provided for in the Statutes, the following shall be deemed members of Congregation: all graduate members of the Library, the Administrative and Technical Staff, and the holders of other posts as approved by Senate from time to time.”»
Furthermore, the Senate Resolution of June 29, 2016, on membership of Congregation states:
«”Senate affirmed its position that only a first degree (University degree) shall suffice for eligibility into Congregation. Senate rejected, by voice vote, the acceptance of a Higher National Diploma (HND) in addition to a Master’s degree as a criterion for eligibility into Congregation.”»
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
