The University of Lagos on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to producing industry-ready graduates as it hosted the maiden edition of a Workplace Preparedness Interactive Forum at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall on the Akoka Campus.
Organised by the Office of Advancement, the event, themed: From Lecture Room to Boardroom, drew a large and enthusiastic audience of students across all levels, particularly final-year students from departments within the Faculty of Management Sciences.
The forum, which was designed as a practical bridge between academic learning and professional life, exposed students to vast professional and entrepreneurial possibilities embedded in their courses of study, while grounding them in the values, orientation and mindset required for success beyond the university walls. The interactive session also underscored UNILAG’s growing emphasis on alumni engagement as a strategic tool for mentoring, inspiration and institutional development.
Two distinguished alumni of the Faculty of Management Sciences: Dr. Samuel Ogbodu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sunu Assurances Limited, and Mr. Segun Odusanya, Managing Director of First Securities Discount House (FSDH) served as keynote speakers, delivering what participants described as candid, practical and deeply inspiring masterclasses on career building.
The first speaker, Mr. Odusanya reflected on his personal journey at the University of Lagos, recalling his arrival as a 17-year-old freshman and his early struggles as a “distracted JAMBITE.” He shared how a subpar first-year performance became the turning point that propelled him to refocus, recover academically, and eventually graduate as a University Scholar with multiple awards.
Drawing from decades of experience in the African financial services sector, including his rapid rise to Director level at Standard Chartered Bank and his deployment to manage operations across five East African countries, Mr. Odusanya outlined five core values students must deliberately cultivate alongside technical competence. These are: Discipline, Focus, Integrity, Teamwork and consideration for others, and Multicultural awareness.
“Whatever you have to do, you must set your mind to it,” he charged the students. “Have a clear goal for your studentship at the University of Lagos and pursue it with devotion and commitment.” He stressed that these values, rather than brilliance alone, were the traits that enabled him to leave every organisation he served “better than I met it.”
In a moment that drew loud applause, Mr. Odusanya announced his decision to give back to his alma mater by endowing a prize for the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Business Administration. According to him, the prize would be backed with a financial reward substantial enough to support the recipient’s chosen career path, whether corporate advancement or entrepreneurship. He described the initiative as a way of honouring “the University and Department that gave me so much.”
Taking the stage next, Dr. Samuel Ogbodu expressed appreciation to the Office of Advancement, UNILAG for “organising a timely and purposeful programme”. He urged students to approach their university experience intentionally, advising them to “go through the University and let the University go through you.”
Sharing the story of his transformation of perceived liabilities into lifelong assets, Dr. Ogbodu highlighted the strategic importance of mentors and healthy relationships. He recounted how credibility built as a student leader at UNILAG later translated into career-defining opportunities, when his employer had a meeting with industry leaders who turned out to be former classmates and friends.
“That was how I moved from the back office to the front office, became the face of my company, and gained the exposure that accelerated my career growth,” he said, adding humorously that the same network was “even how I met my wife.”
Emphasising relationships as a critical career currency, he advised students to be intentional about peer connections, noting that today’s classmates would soon become tomorrow’s collaborators, clients and partners. He also urged participants to study organisational culture upon entering any workplace, stressing that understanding whether an environment is customer-centric, professional or legalistic is key to thriving within it.
Like his co-speaker, Dr. Ogbodu doubled down on the necessity of teamwork, honesty and integrity. “Let transparency and integrity be your identity,” he charged. “They will always aid you and vindicate you.” He further encouraged students to develop resilience, confront challenges head-on, and nurture business ideas early. He reminded them that while the job market is competitive, many are destined not just to be employees, but job creators.
On a lighter note, the insurance executive disclosed his bias for graduates of the University of Lagos during recruitment, affirming the quality, adaptability and value UNILAG alumni consistently bring to organisations across Africa. He concluded by announcing an endowment for Department of Actuarial Sciences and Insurance, drawing cheers from participants.
The event featured a lively question-and-answer session. Students engaged both speakers in an atmosphere of openness and humour, further reinforcing the University’s strong Town-and-Gown philosophy and culture of alumni mentorship.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, had delivered opening remarks through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Afolabi Lesi, FAS. He commended the Director of the Office of Advancement, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, FNIM, for leadership “marked by innovation and growing alumni engagement.” He assured the speakers that their counsel would “fall on fertile ground,” citing UNILAG’s robust entrepreneurship culture and the role of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) in producing problem-solvers and value creators. Many of whom, he noted, already own thriving businesses.
Professor Lesi urged students to maximise the rare mentorship opportunity offered by the forum, describing the insights shared as assets that would remain valuable long after graduation.
Heads of the Departments of Actuarial Sciences and Insurance, and Finance, Professor Sulaimon Adeleke and Dr. Shiro, who were also present at the event, encouraged students to take full advantage of the guidance offered.
Proceedings were moderated by the Director of the Office of Advancement, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, who challenged participants to actively network with the speakers and members of their professional teams.
With the successful hosting of the maiden edition of the Workplace Preparedness Forum by the Office of Advancement, the University of Lagos once again demonstrated its deliberate investment in the holistic development of its students, preparing them not only to graduate, but to lead, create value and excel long after they leave the classroom.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
Photography: Ayo Oloyede
