The University of Lagos (UNILAG) marked a milestone on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as it celebrated ten years of groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Birmingham. The Faculty of Social Sciences Lecture Theatre buzzed with energy during the Stakeholders Engagement and Partnership Showcase, a gathering that reflected not just academic achievement but a decade of friendship, trust, and shared vision.
Welcoming participants, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, spoke from the heart. Her speech was less about ceremony and more about gratitude. Reiterating UNILAG’s commitment to excellence and impact, she said, “At UNILAG, our mission is very clear. We want to build centers of excellence. We want to impact our communities. We do not want to be just a university churning out theories. We want our work to translate and impact development.” She emphasized that the past decade had laid a strong foundation, and the next decade promises “bigger, broader, and deeper dreams.”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham, Prof. Adam Tickell; the Provost and Vice-Principal, Prof. Nick Vaughan-Williams, applauded the collaboration, especially in surgical research and clinical safety. He highlighted how Nigerian clinicians and researchers have shaped evidence-based practices, proving that patient safety can be transformed through teamwork, leadership, and trust – without always requiring massive investments.
The event also spotlighted Nigeria’s leadership in global surgical research. Co-Director, National Institute of Health Research Global Surgery Unit (NIHR GSU), Nigeria, Prof. Dion Morton and Director, NIHR GSU, Nigeria hub, Prof. Adesoji Ademuyiwa shared insights into landmark studies – from Falcon Randomised Control Trials (RCT) to Perioperative respiratory care and outcomes for patieNts Undergoing hIgh risk abdomiNal surgery (PENgUIN), and Task sharing in InGuinal hErnia Repair beween surgeons and medical practitioners (TIGER) trails, etc. – that have reshaped surgical practices worldwide.
Prof. Ademuyiwa also underscored the Nigeria hub’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals through mentorship, training, community engagement and advocacy, student-led initiatives like the PANTH-ER study as well as capacity building of healthcare professionals.
Students and young researchers took center stage too. Surgery Interest Group Lagos (SURGIL) President, Darasimi Adeboyeku spoke passionately about how SURGIL successfully built capacity in students in the areas of research, skills and service in collaboration with NIHR GSU, while Founding Member, SURGIL and Principal Investigator, PANTH-ER study, Dr. Jennifer Okei reflected on building capacity for global surgery research. Their voices reminded everyone that the future of healthcare innovation lies in empowering youths.
The event also featured goodwill messages from Head of Department, Surgery, CMUL, Prof. Andrew Ugburo; Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof. O. A. Fasanmade; Director, International Relations, Partnerships & Prospects (IRPP), Prof. Ismail Ibraheem; Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Wasiu Adeyemo represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, (CMAC), Prof. Ayodeji Oluwole; and Director/Head, Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Karim Shoretire.
The day closed with a thought-provoking panel session featuring representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health – Dr. Karim Shoretire; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) – Mr. Dennis; National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) – Mr. Ado Danladi; Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) – Dr. Joy Anenih and UNILAG Office of International Relations, Partnerships & Prospects (IRPP) – Dr. Victor Onifade. The discussion, moderated by Deputy Director of the Nigeria hub, Prof. Adewale Adisa, ranged from policy translation to funding opportunities, reinforcing the idea that collaboration is not just about research – it’s about shaping systems that work for people.
Earlier in the day, the Prof. Vaughn-Williams, accompanied by his team paid a brief courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogunsola, in her office on the 11th floor of the Senate House, where they discussed the similarities between the two institutions as well as overlapping goals and visions which could lead to potential partnerships.
All in all, the event provided an avenue to showcase strategic academic and research partnerships, highlights of joint research, capacity building and knowledge exchange and strengthening global impact through sustainable partnerships.
The celebration was more than an anniversary. It was a promise: that the next decade of UNILAG–Birmingham collaboration will reach greater heights, impacting lives far beyond the lecture theatre walls.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Ayo Oloyede
