The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, has emphasized that infrastructure is central to human capital development and technological progress.
Speaking in Lagos on Sunday, Ogunshola said that sustained investment in infrastructure—particularly in the education sector—was crucial for any nation seeking to overcome poverty, improve living standards, and achieve rapid national development.
According to her, universities play a critical role in solving national challenges and therefore require world-class facilities to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
She noted that collaborative efforts between stakeholders and interventions from the Federal Government had improved the quality of academic activities at UNILAG.
“We have actively engaged the private sector, attracting donors willing to partner with us. Some of our hostels now operate under Public-Private Partnerships. Staff housing is expected to be completed by September, the Ade Ajayi Auditorium is undergoing renovation, and a donor-funded student hostel project has been approved,” Ogunshola explained.
She further highlighted recent upgrades, including the renovation of the university library and the donation of a new School of Postgraduate Studies building, for which construction will begin soon.
On digital transformation, the VC revealed that UNILAG has been working since 2023 to digitize its Akoka campus, linking it to the Idi-Araba campus through underground cabling. The initiative also includes upgrading the university’s data center, automating administrative processes, and modernizing its website.
“Our goal is full campus automation. Most of the digitization project should be completed by December, with final delivery in 2026,” she said.
Security infrastructure is another priority. Ogunshola explained that the university has revived plans to deploy over 1,000 CCTV cameras—a project initially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Installation has now commenced at the Idi-Araba campus to boost safety.
The VC also praised the federal government for supporting learning outcomes and sustaining the institution’s mandate, citing funding from TETFund, NEEDS assessment, and federal grants as vital to ongoing improvements.
“This year’s TETFund allocation is focused on Idi-Araba, which now hosts nine to ten programmes compared to just medicine at inception. The facilities and hostels there are overdue for major upgrades,” she noted, stressing the need for top-class infrastructure to produce health professionals for the nation.
On transportation, Ogunshola expressed gratitude for the federal government’s donation of 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and the establishment of a CNG conversion station along University Road.
“With rising transport costs, this support is timely. These buses complement our fleet of about 30 electric buses—up from 10 in 2024. Powered partly by solar energy, they reduce travel expenses and emissions, and students have embraced them enthusiastically,” she added.