UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Celebrates Alumni Honoured with NYSC Presidential Award

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Monday, August 18, 2025, hosted two distinguished alumni who recently received the NYSC President’s Honours Award from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in Abuja. The reception, held on the 10th Floor of the Senate House, was a moment of pride and inspiration for the university community.

The honourees, Peace Uzoamaka Ndukwe (Political Science, Class of 2022) and Jerry Chigozie Simon (Economics, Class of 2019), were led to the Vice-Chancellor by Dr. Ayodele Shittu, who played a key role in highlighting their achievements to the university leadership. They are among six UNILAG graduates recognized nationally for their exceptional community impact during their NYSC service year.

Dr. Shittu shared details of their impactful service. Peace Ndukwe, who served in Kano State, launched the “Whats Next Ambassadors” and Borehole Project, reaching all 44 Local Government Areas in the state. She also partnered with the Kano State Ministry of Education to introduce the “Whats Next Africa” initiative in secondary schools and provided clean water for a barracks community through a borehole installation.

In Benue State, Jerry Chigozie Simon transformed sanitation conditions at a local school in Gbagirma LGA by converting a dilapidated pit toilet into a modern water-system facility, significantly improving hygiene and health standards for students.

Dr. Shittu also noted the projects of four other honoured UNILAG alumni who were unable to attend: Pauline Ogunleye, Ayomide Godspower Shobayo, Pearl Ambrose, and Quadri Mayokun Rabiu. Their interventions included:

• A dental health campaign that treated over 200 people in Kukyighir community, Makurdi.

• An educational support initiative in Kibiya community, providing supplies and learning opportunities for orphans and underserved children.

• A youth outreach and health sensitization programme on drug abuse and nutrition, with donations of sanitary pads and medications to prison inmates.

• In Rivers State, alumnus Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (Class of 2022) enrolled 26 out-of-school children across three community schools in Obio-Akpor LGA, donated school uniforms and materials, and founded an NYSC SDGs Club at AFMUC International Missionary School, Port Harcourt.

In her remarks, Professor Ogunsola praised the honourees as shining embodiments of the university’s ideals:

“You have done more than make us proud, you have distinguished yourselves and become true ambassadors of UNILAG leadership. Your actions reflect the essence of our institution, rooted in kindness, service, and purpose. As you are inducted into our Hall of Fame, you stand as living reminders of why this university was founded. We thank you deeply and say, ‘Congratulations.’”

The Vice-Chancellor presented the visiting alumni with commemorative gifts and joined members of management for photographs, rounding off an atmosphere of heartfelt recognition and celebration.

More than an accolade, the visit underscored UNILAG’s enduring commitment to raising graduates who combine academic excellence with civic leadership and service to humanity.

Report: Bayo Salau

Photographs: Maleek D. Quadri