The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has strengthened its growing network of global academic partnerships with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hohai University, China. The agreement is expected to foster cutting-edge research, innovation, and knowledge exchange between both institutions.
The MoU was signed on Friday, July 31, 2026, during the visit of a high-powered delegation from Hohai University, led by its President, Professor Jinhai Zheng, to the University of Lagos.The delegation, accompanied by the Director of the Office of Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (OGESP), Professor Abimbola Sowemimo, was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, alongside members of the University’s Management team at the 10th Floor of the Senate House.
The visit commenced with the screening of a documentary showcasing Hohai University’s rich history, remarkable achievements, and global outlook. The presentation highlighted the institution’s academic and research excellence, particularly in Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Business Administration, and Sustainable Development. It also underscored the University’s extensive international collaborations and commitment to addressing global challenges through impactful research.
Speaking during the engagement, Professor Zheng described Hohai University as one of China’s foremost research-intensive institutions. Established in 1915 as the Hohai Civil Engineering School, the University has grown into a globally recognised institution under the direct administration of China’s Ministry of Education.
He disclosed that Hohai University currently operates three campuses in Nanjing and Changzhou, has more than 3,500 faculty members, enrols over 55,000 students, and offers 72 undergraduate, 82 master’s, and 44 doctoral programmes. According to him, the University also maintains collaborative relationships with more than 130 universities, research institutes, and international organisations across the world.
Responding, Professor Ogunsola welcomed the delegation and expressed delight at the new partnership, noting that it aligns with UNILAG’s vision of strengthening international collaborations that deliver tangible value to teaching, research, and innovation.
She explained that the University is particularly interested in collaborating with Hohai University in areas relating to engineering, water resources, and the blue economy, describing them as strategic sectors that are increasingly important to national and global development.
“As the third most innovative university in Africa, according to Forbes, we recognise the importance of building partnerships that will strengthen our capacity in emerging areas of research and innovation,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that the University is working towards establishing specialised engineering facilities, including an Underground Water Institute, as part of broader efforts to develop expertise across the entire blue economy value chain.
In her words: “We are currently putting modalities in place to establish a sub-engineering and underground water institute here. We are essentially working across the entire value chain of the blue economy, so we are delighted to welcome you to the University of Lagos.”
The engagement provided both institutions with an opportunity to exchange ideas and identify areas of mutual interest, including collaborative research, staff and student exchanges, capacity building, innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable development initiatives.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the NITHub Innovation and Exhibition Fair at the Jelili Adebisi Omotola Halls, where they were received by the Director of the Nithub, Professor Victor Odumuyiwa.
Professor Odumuyiwa took the visitors round the exhibition, introducing them to the University’s innovation ecosystem and its commitment to nurturing technology-driven entrepreneurship. He disclosed that since its establishment five years ago, Nithub has trained approximately 200,000 innovators, equipping young Nigerians with digital and entrepreneurial skills to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
The delegation interacted with several innovators, observed prototype demonstrations, and listened to innovation pitches, gaining first-hand insight into the ingenuity and technological capacity being nurtured within the University community.
The visitors also toured the UNILAG AI UniPod, where its Director, Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo, showcased the facility’s state-of-the-art resources and ongoing projects. She highlighted the UniPod’s pivotal role in advancing artificial intelligence research, strengthening digital skills, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students for the future of work through innovation-driven learning.
The visit concluded with strategic engagements between the Hohai University delegation and representatives of relevant faculties of the University of Lagos. Discussions centred on translating the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding into practical collaborations, with both institutions identifying priority areas for joint research, academic exchanges, and institutional cooperation.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Micheal Joshua
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