As part of activities lined up for the 5th International Week of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), visiting delegates from across the globe were taken on a guided familiarisation tour of key academic, creative, and research facilities at the Akoka campus of the University on Monday, October 13, 2025.
The tour commenced at exactly 1:46 p.m. at the Make A Difference (MAD) House, one of the University’s recognised hubs for student creativity and innovation. The centre, which is entirely student-led, operates as an incubator for ideas that promote self-expression, collaboration, and social impact. The visitors were welcomed by staff and student representatives who provided insight into ongoing projects within the space including design innovations, entrepreneurial initiatives, and digital storytelling platforms.
Following this, the delegation proceeded to the picturesque UNILAG Lagoon Front, a signature attraction and historical landmark within the campus. There, stories were shared about the University’s history as well as the symbolic significance of the Lagoon, and famous Third Mainland Bridge. For many of the guests who were visiting Nigeria for the first time, the moment provided a memorable glimpse into the geographical uniqueness of the University.
The tour continued to the Research Management Office (RMO) and Innovation and Technology Management Office (ITMO), where the Director of RMO, Professor Solomon Olawale Okunuga, received the guests alongside senior officials. He gave a detailed briefing on the core responsibilities of the RMO such as coordinating institutional research activities, managing grants and partnerships, supporting academic publications, ensuring ethical compliance in research, and creating an enabling environment for scholarly inquiry.
At ITMO, the guests were informed about the University’s commitment to bridging the gap between research and industry through innovation and commercialization. The office facilitates technology transfer, supports start-up incubation, and manages intellectual property portfolios arising from university-led research.
Another significant stop was made at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) IT Hub (NITHUB), a technology-focused creative ecosystem within the campus.
The Acting Director, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, during his interaction with the guests, explained that “the Hub is driven by three strategic pillars: entrepreneurship development, digital innovation, and skills acquisition”.
He highlighted several ongoing projects and collaborations with national and international partners, aimed at equipping students with the tools to develop home-grown tech solutions to global challenges.
The delegation also visited the Faculty of Creative Arts, where they were introduced to the Departments of Theatre Arts, Music, and Visual Arts. They explored exhibition spaces showcasing projects of students, including a recent solo exhibition titled “Talking Without Speaking” by Tolani Abayomi, an exchange student from Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK), Germany.
The exhibition featured visual artworks rooted in African traditions and culture, delivered through contemporary forms. The artist, who was present during the visit, engaged the delegates in a brief session about her work and the cultural narratives that shaped it.
The tour climaxed at UNILAG Radio 103.1FM, Nigeria’s first campus-based radio station, situated within the Faculty of Mass Communication. Visitors were welcomed by the Station Manager and On-Air Personality, Mr. Dimeji Lamu, who offered them a tour of the live studio and control room.
Delegates had the opportunity to share their early impressions of Nigeria and their experience at the university, via a live-broadcast. A notable moment was when a student from South Carolina University anchored a short live segment alongside the station manager, offering a lighthearted sign-off that drew applause from both the crew and visitors.
The tour, which concluded with group photographs and informal interactions with some students and staff of the University, offered a comprehensive view of the UNILAG’s commitment to academic excellence, trailblazing creativity, innovative research, and global engagement.
The 5th International Week of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) continues with an Official Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka.
With the theme: Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa, the week-long event will bring together senior government officials, global development partners, academics, financiers, and technology innovators from within and outside Africa such as:
- Dr. Bosun Tijani (Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy),
- Emmanuel Lubanzadio (Africa Lead at OpenAI, one of the world’s foremost artificial intelligence research and deployment companies, and owner of the famous ChatGPT),
- Yvonne Ike (Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the Bank of America),
- Professor Diana Mitlin ( University of Manchester/Chief Executive Officer of African Cities Research Consortium: ACRC),
- Massimo De Luca (Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS), Professor Matthew Waritay Guah (South Carolina State University, USA),
- Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Nigerian entrepreneur and Founding Partner of Future Africa), among others.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Favour Megwara / Maleeq D. Quadri
