The Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences (FPES), University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Thursday, January 8, 2026, held its maiden Staff Retreat, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the newly established faculty.
The retreat, which took place at the Faculty Board Room, was organised to align faculty members with a shared vision and strategic direction, following the creation of FPES from the defunct Faculty of Science. With the theme: Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Academia and Industry, the event focused on repositioning the faculty for relevance, impact, and sustainable partnerships.
In her welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. O. T. Asekun, outlined the objectives of the retreat, emphasising the need for purposeful collaboration, innovation, and cross-disciplinary engagement.
Her words: “This retreat is more than a break from our daily routines. It is a deliberate event for Reflection, Renewal, and Realignment to help us sharpen our focus, strengthen our connections, and re-energise our shared mission as a faculty.”
“Secondly, this retreat is designed to build stronger interdisciplinary connections within our faculty and beyond. Physical and Earth Sciences naturally sit at the intersection of theory and application. When physicists collaborate with geologists, chemists with environmental scientists in other departments, data scientists with industry engineers and mathematicians, we create ideas that are not only intellectually robust but also socially and economically relevant. Industry partnerships thrive when academia speaks with a unified, collaborative voice rather than in disconnected silos.”
She stressed that Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences must consciously embrace a culture that bridges knowledge generation with real-world applications.
Discoverers of New Knowledge
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON was present at the event. She started off her address by wishing the faculty a “Happy New Year of Impact, Problem Solving, and Scholarship”.
With the aphorism, “we become who we think we are”, she reminded the faculty that they are essentially “Researchers who are required to teach and not teachers who do research. We have the obligation to discover new knowledge and apply same to problem solving. It is the outcome of our problem-solving research that we are privileged to teach”.
The Vice-Chancellor urged faculty members to see academia–industry collaboration as an essential component of modern scholarship, stressing that universities must play a leading role in addressing societal and industrial challenges.
Departmental Presentations
A major feature of the retreat was a series of departmental presentations by the Heads of the Departments of Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. The presentations provided brief updates on ongoing activities, recent achievements, and emerging opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration within the faculty.
Experience, Practice, and Administration: Guest Presentations
The retreat also featured six insightful presentations by distinguished speakers from academia and industry. A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research) of the University of Lagos, Emeritus Professor Babajide Alo, made the first presentation on “Redefining University-Industry Linkages and Collaboration … Experience and Challenges”, drawing from decades of academic leadership to highlight the challenges and opportunities of university–industry partnerships.
He emphasised that the University of Lagos actively encourages its faculty members to seek collaboration opportunities with Industry, demonstrating that by making Academia-Industry Collaboration (AIC) a major pillar of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.
“How do you redefine your craft as an Academic such that you can link up with Industry in order to provide solutions that create wealth? Each time you look at the SNEPCO Geosciences Building, you’ll know that there is value in collaborating with Industry.”, he said.
Other speakers included the Director and Chief Executive of the Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion (CSTP), Epe, Lagos State, Dr. O. S. Sholiyi, FNSEng; Senior Technical Geoscientist at Chevron Nigeria Limited,Mrs. Victoria Nneka Okorie, Practising Mechanical Engineer, Engr. Akintayo Akintola, FNSE, SAE; and Deputy Registrar/ Administrative Secretary of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, Mr. Rotimi Adedunye.
Their presentations collectively underscored the importance of relevance, professionalism, ethical conduct, and mutual understanding in fostering effective collaboration between academia and industry.
Two breakout discussion sessions, which included interactive engagements and short motivational addresses, provided participants with the opportunity to reflect on the presentations and propose practical steps towards strengthening interdisciplinary and industry-driven research initiatives.
A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) of the University of Lagos and very senior member of the faculty, Professor Oluwole Familoni, FAS was present to give one of such addresses.
He charged the faculty to be intentional with how they teach students, how they prepare them for the industry, and how they seek industry collaboration.
“When we collaborate intentionally, we don’t just share knowledge, we create impact. Collaboration with Industry is more than agreement signing, it is about a mindset which we must practice”, he affirmed.
The immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, both of who are very senior members of the Faculty, also graced the occasion with their presence.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of the Retreat’s Local Organising Committee, Professor A. A. Mogbademu, summarised the key outcomes and reaffirmed the faculty’s commitment to building sustainable partnerships that advance teaching, research, and national development.
The retreat ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. G. C. Anukwu, followed by a networking session among participants.
The maiden FPES Staff Retreat successfully set the tone for a collaborative, forward-looking faculty, positioning the Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences, UNILAG as a hub for interdisciplinary engagement and impactful academia–industry partnerships.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
Photography: Joshua Michael
