This article is about a federal government-owned university. To read about the state-owned institution in Lagos, see LASU.
Logo:
School Name: University of Lagos
Alias: UNILAG
Date of Establishment: 1962
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe
Location: University Road, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
Website: Unilag.edu.ng
Table of Contents
Situated in the bustling city of Akoka, the University of Lagos (popularly known as UNILAG) is considered a first-generation University since it was founded in the year 1962, two years after the nation’s independence from her British Colonial Masters. It is a highly rated university within the country and is ranked globally among the top 1000 Universities in the World by the Centre for World University Rankings and Times Higher Education in 2021 and beyond.
The University of Lagos has an average of 200, 000 students and 4,418 members of staff, leaving the students to staff ratio at 45:1. With its main campus at Akoka in the Yaba suburb of Lagos, the University of Lagos also boasts of two other campuses. The first is its former School of Radiography located on Taylor Drive, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, and its College of Medicine at Idi- Araba, Surulere.
The main campus is majorly surrounded by the Lagos Lagoon and has eight hundred and two (802) acres of dry land. The University admits about nine thousand (9,000) undergraduate applicants at the beginning of every academic session through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board‘s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (JAMB’s UTME). In total, the institution of learning enrols close to sixty thousand (60,000) applicants yearly, including fresh intake from its School of Postgraduate Studies and Institutes.
It is often believed that the University of Lagos is a school for rich kids. This is due to the flamboyant and expensive lifestyle most of the students live up to. This does not mean there are no poor or average kids within the school system. In fact, most of the poor and average students engage in a few trades to balance up with their peers while some, particularly females, keep up with discreet prostitution known as hook-ups and adventures with sugar daddies.
History
As we established previously, the University of Lagos was founded in 1962 as one of the first five (5) universities in the country, which are now known as first-generation universities. The first black Vice-Chancellor appointed to the University was Eni Njoku who was succeeded by Saburi Biobaku in 1965. However, due to issues surrounding his appointment, he was stabbed by Kayode Adams who was a student thug who believed Saburi‘s appointment was unjust and ethnically affected.
From 2017 to date, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe remains the Vice-Chancellor of the first-generation university. There are reports of sexual harassment from lecturers by female students and journalists who had secret cameras on their bodies. One of the remarkable ones was the sex-for-grades documentary by Kiki Mordi of BBC News who posed as a 17-year-old admission seeker. The controversial documentary fingered two senior lecturers; Dr Boniface Igbeneghu and Dr Samuel Oladipo as masters in the act and that got them sacked by the School’s Administration.
It cannot be argued that the school has impacted knowledge into a broad field of professionals; both dead and alive to date. Most of the alumni have become notable in their professions and distinct in their callings. Awards such as the Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer Prize have been received by a few of the Alumni.
Past and Current Vice-Chancellors
Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe: 2017 till Date
Professor Rahmon Ade Bello: 2012- 2017
Professor Babatunde Adetokunbo Sofoluwe: 2010-2012
Professor Tolu Olukayode Odugbemi: 2007-2010
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo Obe: 2000-2002; 2002-2007
Professor Jelili Adebisi Omotola: 1995-2000
Professor Nurudeen Oladapo Alao: 1988-1995
Professor Akinpelu Oludele Adesola: 1981-1988
Professor Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh: 1978-1980
Professor Jacob F. Adeniyi Ajayi: 1972-1978
Professor Saburi Biobaku: 1965-1971
Professor Eni Njoku: 1962-1965
Academics And Research
In terms of admission, the University of Lagos is quite competitive. According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, the University of Lagos is the second (2nd) most competitive university after the University of Ilorin. It is important to note that out of fifty thousand (50,000) student applicants that enrol for admission yearly, only about nine thousand (9,000) are offered admission into the institution. This makes the University of Lagos a quite competitive ground for Aspirants who desire to become students of the Institution.
The University offers more than a hundred programmes, with twelve faculties and five institutes to facilitate learning. The twelve faculties include Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences while the five institutes include the Distance Learning Institute, Confucius Institute, Institute of Maritime Studies, Institute of Continuing Education, and Institute for African & Diaspora Studies.
The University of Lagos for over 5 decades has been providing qualitative, distinctive and research-oriented education to Nigerians and all those who have entered its domain in search of knowledge. It is of no doubt that this institution has produced reputable individuals and forces to be reckoned with in all spheres of life.
Administration and Leadership
The current principal members of the university administration and their positions are as follows:
| Office | Holders |
|---|---|
| Visitor | President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari |
| Pro-Chancellor & Chairman | Dr Lanre Tejuosho |
| Chancellor | The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar IBN Umar Garbai El-Kanemi |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) | Professor Oluwole Familoni |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) | Professor Lucian O. Chukwu |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) | Professor Ayodele Victoria Atsenuwa |
| Registrar | Mr. Ismaila Oladejo Azeez |
| Bursar | Mr. Nurudeen Olalekan Ajani Lawal |
| University Librarian | Dr. (Mrs.) Yetunde Abosede Zaid |
Notable Alumni, Faculty and Staff
Notable Faculty
- Wole Soyinka
- Grace Alele-Williams
- J. P. Clark
- Olufemi Majekodunmi
- Marita Golden
- Oyeleye Oyediran
- Lazarus Ekwueme
- Ken Saro Wiwa
- Solomon Babalola
- Akinsola Olusegun Faluyi
- Karen King-Aribisala
Notable Alumni
Amongst the alumni of the University of Lagos, Akoka and other institutions that fall under that banner are;
- Wande Abimbola, yoruba professor.
- Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola, a recycler in Nigeria.
- Niyi Adebayo, the first executive governor of Ekiti State and current minister of industry, trade and investment.
- Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, Nigerian politician.
- Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel development.
- Wale Adenuga, publisher and film producer.
- Ayo Aderinwale, Nigerian diplomat.
- Kunle Adeyemi, principal of NLÉ, an architecture, design and urbanism firm, Amsterdam.
- Adebayo Clement Adeyeye, Nigerian journalist and politician.
- Gbenga Adeyinka, a Nigerian actor, comedian, and radio and TV presenter.
- Ernest Afiesimama, a Nigerian climate scientist.
- Goddy Jedy Agba
- Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, women’s activist, CNN heroes top 10 awardees for 2018.
- Fabian Ajogwu, lawyer and SAN.
- Lola Akande, author and academic.
- Omoyemi Akerele, fashion designer and founder of Style House Files.
- Bola Akindele, a Nigerian businesses man and philanthropist.
- Funke Akindele, award-winning actress and producer.
- Rilwan Akiolu, current Oba of Lagos.
- Mary Akpobome, director of Heritage Banking Company Limited of Nigeria (HBCL).
- Yemi Alade, award-winning musician.
- Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos State.
- Abayomi Arigbabu, professor of mathematics and current commissioner of education, Ogun State.
- Daré Art-Aladé, singer.
- Emilia Asim-Ita, co-founder of The Future Awards Africa.
- Regina Askia-Williams, nurse practitioner, actress, and former Miss UNILAG.
- Jelili Atiku, Nigerian actor.
- Bolanle Austen-Peters, lawyer and businesswoman.
- Adewale Ayuba, singer.
- Epiphany Azinge, lawyer, senior advocate of Nigeria and former DG of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
- Wale Babalakin, lawyer and businessman.
- Akin Babalola Kamar Odunsi, politician and businessman.
- eLDee, former Nigerian-American rapper, singer and record producer.
- Teju Babyface, comedian.
- Tobi Bakre, actor and presenter.
- Reekado Banks, singer and songwriter.
- Philip Begho, writer.
- Crystal Chigbu, social entrepreneur.
- Stella Damasus, actress and singer.
- Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State.
- Raquel Kasham Daniel, author and educator
- Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe State.
- Ousainou Darboe, current Gambian minister of foreign affairs.
- Fola David, medical doctor and visual artist.
- Dipo Dina, Nigerian politician.
- Denrele Edun, award-winning radio and television personality.
- Ufuoma Ejenobor, actor and model.
- Grace Ekpiwhre, former minister of science and technology.
- Tony Elumelu, economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Obiageli Ezekwesili, accountant and politician.
- Lekan Fatodu, journalist and politician.
- Kayode Fayemi, the current governor of Ekiti State and former minister of solid minerals development.
- Femi Gbajabiamila, lawyer, lawmaker and current speaker of Nigeria’s 9th house of representatives.
- Chika Ike, a Nigerian actress, television personality, producer, businesswoman, philanthropist and former model.
- IllRymz, musician, radio and television personality.
- Anita Ifeoma Isede, Nigerian OAP.
- Yakubu Itua, former member of the federal house of representative 1983 and former judge High Court of Justice, Benin-City.
- Chude Jideonwo, lawyer, journalist and media entrepreneur.
- Adetokunbo Kayode, Nigerian corporate lawyer, tax expert and international arbitrator, former minister of labour, minister of justice, minister of tourism, culture and national orientation.
- Matilda Kerry-Osazuwa, founder of the George Kerry Life Foundation, doctor and former MBGN.
- Lil Kesh, a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter.
- Laycon, rapper, singer and songwriter, winner of Big Brother Naija season 5.
- Kaycee Madu, Nigerian-Canadian lawyer and current minister of justice and solicitor general of Alberta.
- George Magoha, surgeon and academic.
- Seyi Makinde, electrical engineer, businessman and current governor of Oyo State.
- Toke Makinwa, is an award-winning radio and television personality.
- Bekeme Masade-Olowola, social entrepreneur.
- Mayorkun, an award-winning musician.
- Oliver Mbamara, lawyer and film-maker.
- Ufuoma McDermott, model and actress.
- Lai Mohammed, lawyer and current minister of information and culture.
- Ifeanyi Chudy Momah, lawyer and legislator.
- John Momoh, chairman, Channels Television Group.
- Genevieve Nnaji, award-winning actress, director and producer.
- Ramsey Nouah,Nigerian actor and director.
- Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education.
- Tim Owhefere, Nigerian politician.
- Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, current Nigerian minister of state for mines and steel development.
- Babatunde Ogunnaike, an engineering professor.
- Ikedi Ohakim, politician and former governor of Imo state.
- Bayo Ojo, SAN and former Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Habeeb Okunola, businessman and philanthropist.
- Wole Olanipekun, lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
- Dele Olojede, journalist, first African born winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
- Simbo Olorunfemi, poet, journalist and television producer.
- Ogbonnaya Onu, the first executive governor of Abia State and current minister of science and technology.
- Yemi Osinbajo, current vice-president, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Helen Ovbiagele, novelist.
- Tim Owhefere, Nigerian politician.
- Sasha P, apper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer and motivational speaker.
- Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission.
- Omowunmi Sadik, scientist and professor.
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nigerian politician, businessman and current governor of Lagos State.
- Broda Shaggi, a comedian.
- Joke Silva, an award-winning actress, director and producer.
- Ayo Sogunro, writer, satirist and lawyer.
- Omoyele Sowore, founder, Sahara Reporters.
- Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue State .
- Vector, Nigerian rapper and songwriter.
- Farida Mzamber Waziri, former chairman, EFCC.
- Olajide Williams, professor of neurology at Columbia University.
Programmes and Courses
This list of courses and programmes cut across various faculties and institutes across the University of Lagos. The programmes include:
Degree Programmes
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Adult Education
- Architecture
- Banking and Finance
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Botany
- Building
- Business Administration
- Business Education
- Cell Biology & Genetics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chinese Studies
- Christian Religious Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Creative Arts
- Early Childhood Education
- Economics
- Education and Biology
- Education and Chemistry
- Education and Christian Religious Studies
- Education and Economics
- Education and English Language
- Education and French
- Education and Geography
- Education and History
- Education and Igbo
- Education and Integrated Science
- Education and Islamic Studies
- Education and Mathematics
- Education and Physics
- Education and Yoruba
- Educational Administration
- Education Technology
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- English Language
- Estate Management
- Finance
- Fisheries
- French
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Guidance and Counselling
- Health Education
- History and Strategic Studies
- Home Economics and Education
- Human Kinetics
- Igbo Language
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Mathematics
- Industrial Relations and Personnel Management
- Insurance
- Islamic Studies
- Law
- Marine Biology
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Medicine and Surgery
- Metallurgical and Material Engineering
- Microbiology
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Quantity Surveying
- Radiography
- Russian Language
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Surveying and Geoinformatics
- Systems Engineering
- Technical Education
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Yoruba Language
- Zoology
Certification & Diploma Programmes
- Advance Diploma in Herbal Medicine
- Advance Diploma in Law Enforcement Administration (ADLEA)
- Advance Diploma In Transportation and Logistics Management
- Advanced Diploma in Hydrology and Water Resources Management
- Advanced Diploma in Business Administration
- Advanced Diploma in Business Management
- Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation
- Advanced Diploma in Computer and Secretarial Administration
- Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing
- Advanced Diploma In Early Childhood Education
- Advanced Diploma In Farm Operations And Management/Printing Technology Cosmetology & Aesthetics
- Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management
- Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management
- Advanced Diploma in Management Consulting
- Advanced Diploma in Marketing
- Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply management
- Advanced Diploma in Security Operation and Management
- Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Ports Administration and Management
- ADVANCED DIPLOMA INCARTOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS(GIS)
- Advanced Executive Diploma for Personal Assistant
- Advanced Professional Diploma Course for drivers (APDCD)
- Advanced Professional Diploma Course for drivers (APDCD)
- Certificate in Corporate Fitness Instruction
- Certificate in Creative Writing
- Certificate in Election Administration
- Certificate In Farm Operations And Management (Farming, Wool Work And Leather Work) Printing Technology/Cosmetology & Aesthetics
- Certificate in Herbal Medicine
- Diploma in Biomedical Engineering Technology
- Diploma in Business Administration
- DIPLOMA IN CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
- Diploma in Computer-Aided Secretarial Administration
- DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER AND SECRETARIAL STUDIES
- Diploma in Corporate Fitness Instruction
- Diploma in Creative Writing
- Diploma in Digital Cartography
- Diploma in Distributed Power System and Power Conditioning
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education
- Diploma in Election Administration
- Diploma in English for Professionals
- Diploma In Farm Operations And Management/Printing Technology/Cosmetology & Aesthetics
- DIPLOMA IN FRENCH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
- Diploma in Herbal Medicine
- Diploma in Hospitality Management
- DIPLOMA IN HOSTEL MANAGEMENT
- Diploma in Human Resources Management
- Diploma in Information Technology
- Diploma in Management Consulting
- Diploma in Marketing
- Diploma in Mosque Leadership and Management
- Diploma in Secretarial Studies
- Diploma in Security Operation and Management
- Diploma in Special Education
- EXECUTIVE DIPLOMA IN BILINGUALISM AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION FOR PROFESSIONALS
- Executive Diploma in Cooperative in Business Management
- Executive Diploma in Marketing Research
- Executive Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management
- Executive Diploma for Personal Assistant
- Professional Advanced Diploma in Biomedical and Bioinformatics Engineering
- Professional Advanced Diploma in Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Professional Diploma in Computer And Management
- Professional Diploma in Industrial Relations
- Professional Diploma in Office Management
- Professional Diploma in Public Service Administration and Governance
- Professional Diploma in Total Quality Management
- Specialist Certificate Course in Corporate and Industrial Security
- Specialist Certificate Course in Intelligence and Investigation
- Specialist Certificate Course in Law Enforcement and Preventive Diplomacy
- Certificate In Freight Forwarding And Supply Chain Management
- Diploma In Freight Forwarding And Supply Chain Management
- Higher Diploma In Freight Forwarding And Supply Chain Management
Executive Business Programmes
- Executive Masters of Public Administration (EMPA)
- Executive Masters of Public Health (EMPH)
- Master of Non-Interest Finance (MNIF)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Non-Interest Finance (PGDNIF)
- Business of Entertainment, Media, Fashion & Sport (BEMFS)
- FinTech Innovation and Regulatory Technology (RegTech)
Hostels and Hall of Residence
We cannot complete our discussion about the University of Lagos without talking about what it looks like to live within or around the school premises. As a student or staff of the University of Lagos, you might want to consider living within or around the school premises to increase proximity to the lecture hall or office as the case may be.
Either as a student or staff, you can choose to live on-campus or off-campus. Living on campus means staying within the school premises while staying off-campus means sourcing accommodation outside but around the school environment.
Staying on-campus is actually the best especially if you are a fresh student. Apart from the hostel’s proximity to your lecture hall, it saves you the time of trying to learn the street networks and societal traditions to focus solely on your academics. The only uneasy part of the process is balloting for space within the hostels. It would require a 4G or 5G internet connection and speed to successfully get a bed space.
Living off-campus on the other hand can be expensive, particularly in the suburbs of Akoka. Single rooms cost about N150,000 to N200,000 per year while single room self-contains can be found from N250,000 to N400,000 per year. If you miss out on getting a space in the school hostel, you might be forced to squat with friends or rent an apartment off-campus. I must also make it known that single rooms around the area are dirty and smelly. If you prioritize hygiene and insist on staying off-campus, then a single room self-contain apartment is what you should opt for.
The University of Lagos has a total of fifteen (15) hostels; six (6) male hostels, seven (7) female hostels and two (2) mixed-gender hostels.
The male hostels include:
- Eni Njoku Hall
- King Jaja Hall
- Mariere Hall
- Saburi Biobaku Hall
- Sodeinde Hall
- The El Kanemi Hall
The female hostels are:
- Fagunwa Hall
- Kofo Ademola Hall
- Madam Tinubu Hall
- Honours Hall
- Queen Amina Hall
- Makama-Bida Hall
- Queen Moremi Hall
The mixed-gender hostels include:
- Henry Carr Hall
- Erastus Akingbola Hall
Recreational Centres
Students of this great citadel of learning are popularly regarded as ” the great Akokites” ( that should definitely be due to the institution’s location) and this term is their slogan. The school motto also reads ” in deed and in truth”.
The University of Lagos isn’t an institution of all work and no play, as it is home to a good number of tourist attraction centres/recreational centres where students can spend their leisure. The Lagoon Front, Lagoon Front Resort, Biological Garden, and Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Park are good examples of some of these places.
You can always go jogging with your friends early in the morning if you stay on-campus as the roads are motorable and there is a constant power supply 90% of the time. There are also football pitches, basketball and volleyball courts if you want to engage in some sporting exercise.
Conclusion: Is the University of Lagos worth a Study Destination?
The University of Lagos remains a dream study destination for thousands of students, aspirants and babies yet unborn. Being a first-generation university, and a top 1000 globally ranked university, the University of Lagos is worth giving a shot.
Studying in a Nigerian public university is full of stress, hence, you should not assume the University of Lagos is the only stressful school. Spilling out too many complaints can also make you lose focus on the reason you are in school, and you may not be able to get the best from your studies. You should shun and endure the irregularities for a temporary period till you complete your studies.
I can only wish you good success and pray for enough strength to ride on the tides of the storms you shall encounter in school.
