University of Lagos
Encyclopedia
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos
, Lagos State
, southern Nigeria
. It is one of twenty-five federal universities which are overseen and accredited by the National Universities Commission
.
, Lagos State. Both sites are in the Mainland of Lagos. The main campus is largely surrounded by the scenic view of the Lagos lagoon and is located on 802 acres (3.2 km²) of land in Akoka, North Eastern part of Yaba, Lagos, the state of excellence and aquatic splendour.
From a modest intake of 131 students in 1962, enrolment in the university has now grown to over 39,000. It has a total staff strength of 3,365 made up of 1,386 Administrative and Technical Staff, 1,164 Junior and 813 Academic Staff.
The University is composed of nine Faculties and a College of Medicine. The Faculties offer a total of 117 programmes in Art
s, Social Sciences, Environmental Science
s, Pharmacy
, Law
, Engineering
, Science
s, Business Administration and Education
. UNILAG also offers Master’s and Doctorate degrees in most of the aforementioned programmes. The University also has two Centres namely the Centre for Human Rights
and the Centre for African, Regional Integration and Borderland Studies. The Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University offers courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Science Education and Library / Information Sciences.
. The University in 2005 rewarded 19 of its researchers for their outstanding research efforts in the 2005 Research Conference and Fair. This included ground breaking research in the child psychology behind bed wetting. The University research activity was one of the major criteria used by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in adjudging the University as the Best University in Nigeria at this year's Nigerian University System Annual Merit Award (NUSAMA).
s and other Grants; The University of Lagos introduced a special scholarship scheme funded from the University Endowment Grants to various categories of students for a total of 500 awards in 2005.
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
, southern Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. It is one of twenty-five federal universities which are overseen and accredited by the National Universities Commission
National Universities Commission
The National Universities Commission of Nigeria is a government commission promoting quality higher education in Nigeria. It is located in the capital city of Abuja. The Commission was established in 1962 as an advisory agency. It is currently part of the Federal Ministry of Education.-External...
.
Location
The University of Lagos founded in 1962 is made up of two campuses, the main campus at Akoka, Yaba and the College of Medicine in Idi-Araba, SurulereSurulere
Surulere is a residential and commercial area, and a Local Government Area located on the Lagos mainland in Lagos State, Nigeria, with an area of 23 km². It is part of Metropolitan Lagos...
, Lagos State. Both sites are in the Mainland of Lagos. The main campus is largely surrounded by the scenic view of the Lagos lagoon and is located on 802 acres (3.2 km²) of land in Akoka, North Eastern part of Yaba, Lagos, the state of excellence and aquatic splendour.
From a modest intake of 131 students in 1962, enrolment in the university has now grown to over 39,000. It has a total staff strength of 3,365 made up of 1,386 Administrative and Technical Staff, 1,164 Junior and 813 Academic Staff.
The University is composed of nine Faculties and a College of Medicine. The Faculties offer a total of 117 programmes in Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
s, Social Sciences, Environmental Science
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
s, Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
, Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s, Business Administration and Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. UNILAG also offers Master’s and Doctorate degrees in most of the aforementioned programmes. The University also has two Centres namely the Centre for Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and the Centre for African, Regional Integration and Borderland Studies. The Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University offers courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Science Education and Library / Information Sciences.
The vision and mission statements
The vision of the University is 'To be a top-class institution for the pursuit of excellence in knowledge through learning and research, as well as in character and service to humanity and the mission is ‘To provide a conducive teaching, learning, research and development environment where staff and students can interact and compete effectively with their counterparts both nationally and internationally in terms of intellectual competence and zeal to add value to the world’.Research
The University of Lagos is a centre for academic researchResearch
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
. The University in 2005 rewarded 19 of its researchers for their outstanding research efforts in the 2005 Research Conference and Fair. This included ground breaking research in the child psychology behind bed wetting. The University research activity was one of the major criteria used by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in adjudging the University as the Best University in Nigeria at this year's Nigerian University System Annual Merit Award (NUSAMA).
Scholarships
In addition to University ScholarshipScholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s and other Grants; The University of Lagos introduced a special scholarship scheme funded from the University Endowment Grants to various categories of students for a total of 500 awards in 2005.
Notable alumni
Amongst the alumni of the University of Lagos and other institutions that fall under that banner are:- Wande AbimbolaWande abimbolaWande Abimbola, is a Nigerian academician, a professor of Yoruba language and literature and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife , and has also served as the Majority Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria...
, Yoruba professor - Wale AdenugaWale AdenugaWale Adenuga, MFR, is a Nigerian former cartoonist/publisher, and currently a series producer, best known for the publications Ikebe Super, Binta and Super Story, and their televised versions.-Early life:...
, publisher/film producer - Francis AguFrancis AguFrancis Agu was a Nigerian TV and cinema actor. He was best known for his role on the long-running Nigerian television series Checkmate.- Early life :...
, actor - Omowunmi AkinnifesiOmowunmi AkinnifesiOmowunmi Akinnifesi is a Nigerian businesswoman and Lagos State's Environmental ambassador.The daughter of a former Central Bank of Nigeria director, Akinnifesi spent her early years in Sierra Leone before returning to her native Nigeria with her family. She attended Queen's College, Yaba, where...
, public relations consultant - Bisi AlimiBisi AlimiBisi Alimi is a Nigerian gay rights activist - currently residing in Britain - who achieved notoriety in his home country when he became the first Nigerian to come out on national television....
, gay rights activist Left before graduation - Adewale AyubaAdewale AyubaAdewale Ayuba, with stage name Ayuba was born on May 6, 1966 in lkenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. He grew up as a child singer. By the age of eight, he had started singing at local Musical competitions and fiestas in lkenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is a distinct Fuji music artiste with a...
, singer - Daré Art-AladéDareyDare Art Alade - popularly known as Darey - is a Nigerian multi-platinum selling and award-winning musician and singer-songwriter. He is the son of the renowned Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade....
, singer - Regina AskiaRegina AskiaRegina Askia-Williams - also known as Regina Askia - is a Nigerian born, American-based nurse who found fame as an actress, model, television producer and educational activist....
, actress former Miss Unilag - Philip BeghoPhilip BeghoPhilip Begho, author of over seventy books, is an award-winning Nigerian writer . Born in Warri, Delta State on January 11, 1956 of an Itsekiri father and a mother of mixed race, he received his secondary school education at King’s College, Lagos and obtained an LLB. from the University of Lagos...
, writer - Stella Damasus, actress
- Ufuoma EjenoborUfuoma EjenoborUfuoma Stacey Ejenobor is a Nollywood Actress, Presenter and Model based in Nigeria.Ufuoma Stacey Ejenobor /pronounced "oof-oh-ma, stay-see, edge-air-no-bore"/ Best Actress nominee at the Monte Carlo Television Festival 2010 is a highly celebrated Nollywood actress and model based in Nigeria...
, model/actress - Grace EkpiwhreGrace EkpiwhreGrace Ekpiwhre is career civil servant who retired in 2007. She was appointed by President Umaru Yar'Adua as Nigeria's Minister of Science and Technology in July 2007, and then became Minister of State Works, Housing and Urban Development in December 2008....
, former minister - EldeeEldeeLanre Dabiri, better known by his stage name Eldee, stylized as eLDee, is a Nigerian American rapper, record producer and architect. "Lanre" is a diminutive for the Yoruba name "Olanrewaju" . eLDee studied Architecture at the University of Lagos, Nigeria...
, rapper - Obiageli EzekwesiliObiageli EzekwesiliObiageli Ezekwesili is a Nigerian chartered accountant. She was a co-founder of Transparency International, serving as one of the pioneer Directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany. She served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Federal Minister of...
, accountant - Kayode FayemiKayode FayemiKayode Fayemi, is the current Governor of Ekiti State and a native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria.-Education:...
, current EkitiEkiti StateEkiti State is a state in southwest Nigeria, created on October 1, 1996 alongside five other new states by military dictator General Sani Abacha...
governor - Kate Henshaw-NuttalKate Henshaw-NuttalKate Henshaw-Nuttall is a Nigerian actress. In 2008 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.-Early life:Henshaw-Nuttall is the oldest of four children...
, actress - Matilda KerryMatilda KerryMatilda Kerry, MD is a Nigerian doctor. Kerry attended Federal Girls College, Benin,and later the University of Lagos where she studied Medicine and Surgery. In 2000, she was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, making her Nigeria's Miss World 2000 representative. As MBGN, her project was...
, doctor - Oliver MbamaraOliver MbamaraOliver O. Mbamara is a filmmaker, actor, writer, lawyer and publisher from Nigeria, West Africa.-Law career:After graduating in Law from the University of Lagos Nigeria and the Nigerian Law School, he practiced law in Nigeria while simultaneously engaging in writing scripts and poetic pieces in...
, lawyer - Richard Mofe DamijoRichard Mofe DamijoRichard Mofe Damijo is a Nigerian actor and politician. In 2005 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Since January 2009 he is the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria.- Early life :Mofe-Damijo was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria...
, actor - Genevieve NnajiGenevieve NnajiGenevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress. In 2005 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. CNN states that she is referred to as the "Julia Roberts of Africa".- Early life :...
, actress - Ramsey NouahRamsey NouahRamsey Tokunbo Nouah Jr, is a Nigerian actor. In 2010 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.- Early life :...
, actor - Chinenye OchubaChinenye OchubaChinenye Akinlade is a former beauty queen.Akinlade is the seventh of eight children and also a twin. Following completion of her secondary education at Regan Memorial Secondary School, she won the 2002 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant while awaiting admission into university...
, former MBGN Left before graduation - Bayo OjoBayo OjoChristopher Adebayo Ojo is a former Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As such, he is also a past head of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice. He is a legal practitioner and is licensed to practice in Nigeria, England and Wales. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.-Early life...
, lawyer - Ikedi OhakimIkedi OhakimIkedi Ohakim is a Nigerian businessman who became governor of Imo State in the Niger Delta region in May 2007, standing for the Progressive Peoples Alliance .He later switched to the People's Democratic Party .-Background:...
, current ImoImo StateImo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
governor - Afolabi OlabimtanAfolabi OlabimtanAfolabi Olabimtan was a Nigerian politician, writer, and academic. He was born in Ogun State and was later the senator for Ogun West from 1999 to 2003. He died in a motor accident in August 2003....
, writer - Dele OlojedeDele OlojedeDele Olojede is a Nigerian Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former foreign editor for Newsday. Olojede was the first African-born winner of the Pulitzer Prize.-Biography:Olojede was born the eleventh of 28 children...
, journalist - Simbo OlorunfemiSimbo OlorunfemiSimbo Olorunfemi is a Nigerian poet, journalist, and business person with a background in TV production and brand management. His first poetry collection, Rhythm of the Coins, attracted praise from critics and was short listed for 1993 Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize. Olorunfemi's...
, writer/television producer - Mike OmoigheMike OmoigheMichael Akhaine Osebhajimete Omoighe , lives in Lagos, Nigeria; he is a Nigerian painter, curator, art critic and teacher of art....
, artist - Helen OvbiageleHelen OvbiageleHelen Aiyeohusa Ovbiagele is a Nigerian novelist. She was born in Benin City, and after attending C.M.S. Girls' School, Benin City and St. Peter's College, Kaduna, she studied English and French at the University of Lagos and studied at the Institut Francais du Royaume Uni in London...
, writer - Joke SilvaJoke SilvaJoke Silva is a Nigerian actress and director. She has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2006, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the African Movie Academy Awards...
, actress - Ganiyu SolomonGaniyu SolomonGaniyu Olarenwaju Solomon was elected Senator for the Lagos West constituency of Lagos State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2007. He is a member of the Action Congress .-Birth and early career:...
, polititian - Farida Mzamber WaziriFarida Mzamber WaziriChief Farida Mzamber Waziri was appointed Executive Chairperson of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in May 2008. She succeeded Nuhu Ribadu in this post.-Background:...
, EFCCEconomic and Financial Crimes CommissionThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering...
chairman - Kunlé AdeyemiKunlé AdeyemiKunlé Adeyemi is a Nigerian architect, urbanist and creative researcher. Adeyemi is founder and principal of NLÉ, an architecture, design and urbanism practice, based in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Adeyemi studied at the University of Lagos in Nigeria and Princeton University in New Jersey, the...
, Architect