Efforts of the University of Lagos Management in promoting an ecosystem which supports and encourages creative thinking, innovations and inventions received a boost on Friday, February 3, 2023, with the Commissioning of the newly rehabilitated and equipped UNILAG Innovation Laboratory.
The rehabilitation project was on the bills of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (formerly Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation)/Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited.
The project, according to the Managing Director, Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) Limited, Mr. Bolondi Fabrizo is in realization of the indispensability of innovation and invention in driving the entrepreneurial development of any nation.
Mr. Fabrizo who was represented by the Divisional Manager, Corporate Public Affairs of NAE limited, Mr. Christopher Eke, expressed concern over the skills gap in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, one which he said reflects the prevalent reality of the Nigerian educational sector.
He highlighted the company’s efforts in supporting and promoting education in Nigeria through scholarships (local and international), bursaries, manpower and infrastructural developments, He explained that these efforts are targeted at achieving sustainable economic empowerment and development in the country.
While calling for optimal use of the UNILAG Innovation Laboratory, Mr. Fabrizo, expressed hopes that the intervention will improve the quality of research and innovation in UNILAG and subsequently transform the centre into an invention hub for Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Bala Wunti, Deputy Manager, Community Relations, Mrs. Edith Olubunmi Lawson described the rehabilitation and equipping of the UNILAG Innovation Laboratory as a product of a strong collaboration and partnership which is rooted in a shared vision of development.
Mrs. Lawson specially applauded UNILAG management for what she called, an exemplary commitment to solution-driven research and innovation. She also congratulated all stakeholders on the successful completion of the project and passed a vote of confidence that the new UNILAG innovation lab will raise the bar of research and groom generations of inventors.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, was full of gratitude to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) PLC for the project.
While underscoring the importance of strategic collaborations between industries and tertiary institutions for the purpose of development, Prof. Ogunsola emphasized the need for continued interventions from industries with a view to bridging the gap and driving common goals.
She identified the newly equipped Innovation Laboratory as an investment targeted at raising a fit-for-purpose workforce while also making UNILAG Future-Ready.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the formal signing of the Project Handover Certificates by concerned stakeholders including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and the Registrar, Mr. Oladejo Azeez Esq. on behalf of the university.
The formal commissioning of the UNILAG Innovation Laboratory was performed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola. Thereafter, the guests were taken on a tour of facilities in the UNILAG Innovation Laboratory by the Acting Director, Innovation and Technology Management Office, Dr. Abiodun Gbenga-Ilori.
The Rehabilitation project of the UNILAG Innovation Laboratory which was initiated in 2020 commenced in 2021.
It covers:
- Complete renovation, remodeling and equipping of the Research and Innovation Laboratory and Offices;
- Provision of Equipment and Facilities for Virtual Reality Room including Oculus, Computer Towers, Monitors and VR Camera;
- Provision of Equipment and Facilities for Additive Manufacturing including Ultimaker S5 3D Printer, Computer Software (Fusion 360) and other Accessories;
- Provision of Consumables (Filament),
- Provision of Communication (ICT)/Archiving/Database facilities, complete with Laptops, Internet Connectivity (Back-up Wifi: enterprise-grade router) and backup Power Systems; and
- Provision of Environmental Graphics facility and accessories.
Below is a pictorial highlight of the event;
