The University of Lagos (UNILAG) stood still, if only for a moment, to honour a life that has quietly but profoundly shaped minds, broken barriers, and widened pathways for generations. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the University community, alongside family, friends, scholars, and well-wishers, gathered for a rare five-in-one celebration marking the 70th birthday, valedictory service, retirement programme, Festschrift presentation, and foundation launch in honour of Professor Uchenna Nkiruka Udeani, Professor of Science Education and one of UNILAG’s most distinguished academic trailblazers.
The day began on a reflective and grateful note at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos, where a thanksgiving service was held to acknowledge a life sustained by grace, service, and unwavering purpose. The solemnity of worship soon gave way to warmth and celebration as the events transitioned to the Jelili Adebisi Omotola Multipurpose Hall, UNILAG, transformed into a gathering of tribute, scholarship, and heartfelt storytelling.
Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Lucian Obinna Chukwu, immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), UNILAG, set the tone by describing Professor Udeani as a scholar whose impact transcends classrooms and curricula. He reflected on her years of dedicated service, leadership, and mentorship, noting that her career represents what it means to combine intellectual rigour with humanity.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, paid glowing tribute to the celebrant, describing her as a woman of uncommon warmth, courage, depth, and consistency. She highlighted Professor Udeani’s pioneering contributions to science education, gender inclusion in STEM, and academic leadership, noting that her legacy is firmly etched into the institutional history of UNILAG. Members of the University Management team were also in attendance, underscoring the esteem in which the celebrant is held across the University.
As Chief Host, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, described the occasion as both a celebration and a lesson, one that reminds younger academics that excellence is built patiently, through years of teaching, research, and service. He affirmed that Professor Udeani’s journey continues to inspire within and beyond the Faculty.
A defining moment of the programme was the presentation of the Festschrift titled Digital Transformation in Education: Navigating the New Frontier, a scholarly volume produced in honour of Professor Udeani’s lifelong commitment to education and innovation. The Festschrift was presented by Hon. Justice Uzo Ndukwe-Anyanwu, OFR, Justice of the Court of Appeal (Rtd.) and elder sister of the celebrant, in a deeply moving moment that blended academic honour with family pride. The review of the volume was delivered by Professor Christine Iyetunde Ofulue, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research, National Open University of Nigeria, who described the work as timely, forward-looking, and reflective of Professor Udeani’s intellectual vision.
The retirement programme also featured a compelling guest lecture delivered by Professor Eucharia Nwaichi, Director, Academic Planning Division, University of Port Harcourt. Her lecture, titled From One to Many: The Ripple Effect of a Woman Scientist’s Journey, traced how one woman’s commitment to knowledge and courage can ignite change across generations, disciplines, and institutions. The lecture resonated deeply with the audience, capturing the essence of Professor Udeani’s own professional journey.
Beyond the accolades and scholarly reflections, the celebration took on a deeply humanitarian dimension with the official launch of the Uchenna Nkiruka Udeani Foundation (UNUF), an initiative dedicated to empowering vulnerable children through education. The Foundation was unveiled by Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, Pro-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Ede, and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. In his remarks, he commended the Foundation’s vision, describing it as a natural extension of Professor Udeani’s lifelong advocacy for inclusion, compassion, and access to education.
A brief introduction to the Foundation was presented by Dr. Chukwudi Udeani, son of the celebrant, who stood firmly by his mother throughout the event. He outlined the Foundation’s mission to move children from vulnerability to victory through education, support, and community collaboration, drawing applause and admiration from the audience.
Throughout the celebration, tributes flowed freely, punctuated by music, reflections, and moments of joyful dance that revealed the celebrant not only as a scholar, but as a woman deeply loved. Professor Udeani herself responded with grace and gratitude, acknowledging God, her family, colleagues, students, and the University of Lagos for the journey that shaped her life’s work.
The five-in-one celebration was more than an event; it was a testament to a life lived in service of knowledge, equity, and humanity. As Professor Uchenna Nkiruka Udeani formally transitions from active university service, her influence continues to ripple outward, through the minds she shaped, the systems she strengthened, and the lives she continues to touch through the Uchenna Nkiruka Udeani Foundation. UNILAG did not merely celebrate a birthday or a retirement; it celebrated a legacy still unfolding.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Ayomide Oloyede
