The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, received a three-man delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education tasked with evaluating the University’s level of compliance with recommendations of the Federal Government as published in the white paper documents for 2011-2015 and 2016-2020.
The Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Amao A.A.team who led the team noted that the same evaluation visit is currently been paid by other delegates to about forty (40) universities across the nation. He explained that the evaluation, which takes place every five (5) years, affords delegates from the Ministry the opportunity to directly interact with key role players in the university.
According to him, the team will review the financial management of the University; the relationship between the Governing Council of the University, Boards and other arms of the University, to mention a few. Findings derived from these interactions will then aid the team write a holistic, evidence-based report for the attention of the Visitor, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Mr Amao further intimated that his team’s evaluation will also be beneficial to the presidential visitation panel scheduled for the year 2026.
Other members of the delegation were: Mrs. Mary Obaitan, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Education and Mr. Israel John, Chief Education Office, Federal Ministry of Education.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, warmly welcomed the delegation, affirming her confidence that the University has implemented most of the recommendations, which the team will observe during their evaluation. She noted that the ones that have not been implemented have been attempted, and the university management is working earnestly to device the best method of handling them.
She pointed out the peculiar challenges being faced by the university in the areas of manpower, staff accommodation especially with the situation of the inflated cost of rent in Lagos State and the rigours of transportation for staff leaving far away from the campus. Professor Ogunsola, however, expressed the University’s joy in finally beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, as the University has been able to attract the promise of a donation of three (3) Highrise buildings (about one hundred and twenty (120) flats) to ameliorate the accommodation challenges of staff, in the near future.
According to her, there are other efforts still in the works and the university is open to more viable solutions to cater to the peculiar challenges of living and working in Lagos State.
She invited the union representatives present at the meeting to share their views on the matter. In response, a representative of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) assured the delegates that just as the Vice-Chancellor had indicated, implementation of most of the recommendations were on-going. Other union members also assured of their cooperation to make the process seamless.
The 3-man delegation stayed on campus for three (3) days, interacting with necessary offices via meetings coordinated by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) and professional administrators of the Office of the Registrar and Secretary to Council, University of Lagos.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Joshua Michael
Article Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photo Editor: Nike Ogunshakin
