In what could be described as a grand home-coming ceremony, the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Lagos, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, hosted one of its alumnus, Dr. Obidimma Ezezika.
A year 2000 graduate of the Department of Microbiology, Dr Ezezika, is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Healthy Science, Western University, Canada. His visit to his alma mater was for a multi stakeholder engagement.
Events kicked off with a keynote lecture on Scaling Up Health Innovations in Africa, From Lab to Village. It was held at LT 026, one of the Faculty’s lecture theatres.
Dr Ezezika took the gathering, comprising both faculty and students, through his sojourn as an undergraduate in the Department of Microbiology, UNILAG which led him to his interest and choice of Petroleum Microbiology for PhD studies.
He was full of gratitude to the rank and file of the faculty for their impact, and especially Distinguished Professor Olukayode Armund, for being his guardian angel.
Dr Ezezika acknowledged the milestones in medical sciences over the last few decades and emphasized the place of leadership, trust, partnership and adaptive learning, in ensuring that science and medical breakthroughs translate into tangible impacts on people.
In his opening remarks to flag off the keynote lecture, the Dean of Faculty of Life Sciences, Professor Ganiyu Oyetibo, appreciated Dr Obidimma Ezezika for his visit and engagement with stakeholders, which will further challenge faculty and inspire students.
Also in his remarks, Emeritus Professor Olukayode Amund said the event underscored the importance of pleasant students’ experience as a way of promoting effective alumni engagement for the benefits of both faculty and students.
After the keynote lecture, action shifted to the Faculty of Science Boardroom for a Dialogue on Innovation, Global Health Careers, Leadership Development and Pathways for Student Research Engagement with final year and postgraduate students of the faculty.
The session was thought-provoking as issues were laid bare by Dr Ezezika who took time to disabuse the minds of participants against choosing the easy route and focusing on the grades at the expense of the experience. Key lessons shared with the students included the need for them to be willing and ready to put in extra work, be strategic and not afraid to make mistakes.
The day was rounded off with a high-level Faculty Round-table Discussion for Professors and Associate Professors in the faculty under the theme: “Building Strategic Partnership between Western University and the Faculty of Life Sciences”.
Dr Obidimma Ezezika was admitted into UNILAG in 1997 to study Microbiology. Upon graduation in the year 2000, he proceeded to the University of Georgia, in United States, where he earned a PhD in Microbiology, in 2006. Dr Ezezika also holds a Masters degree in Environmental Management from Yale University, USA. (2008).
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Michael Joshua
