University of Lagos

The University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, is a public research university in Lagos, Nigeria. It is one of five first generation universities in Nigeria and was founded in 1962. The university has three campuses in Lagos, including the main campus in Akoka, the School of Radiography at Yaba, and the College of Medicine at Idi Araba. The University of Lagos enrolls over 40,000 students.

History
UNILAG was founded in 1962, two years after Nigerian independence from Britain. It was one of the first five universities created in the country, now known as a "first generation university".

In 2019, the BBC reported that "Female reporters were sexually harassed, propositioned and put under pressure by senior lecturers at the institutions – all the while wearing secret cameras".

The current vice-chancellor is Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe. He has been the vice-chancellor since 2017.

Academics and research

The university has remained one of the most competitive in the country in terms of admissions. With approximately 57,000 students as of 2013, the University of Lagos has one of the largest student populations of any university in the country.  The University of Lagos is one of the twenty-five federal universities which are overseen and accredited by the National Universities Commission.

The university has been called "the University of First Choice and the Nation's Pride." The university's 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 the Nigerian University System Annual Merit Award (NUSAMA) in 2008.

The University of Lagos College of Medicine is associated with Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

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
 Uju Uzo Ojinnaka

Notable alumni

Amongst the alumni of the University of Lagos, Akoka and other institutions that fall under that banner are:
Daniel Olukoya, a researcher, scientist, clergyman and founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).
Ousainou Darboe, current Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yemi Osinbajo, current Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Rilwan Akiolu, current Oba of Lagos
Ogbonnaya Onu, first Executive Governor of Abia State
Bolanle Austen-Peters, lawyer and businesswoman
Omowunmi Sadik, scientist and professor
Titilola Obilade, Medical Doctor, PhD Learning Sciences and Technologies, Writer, Senior Education Specialist
Wande Abimbola, Yoruba professor
Wale Adenuga, publisher and film producer
Wole Olanipekun, Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Ibrahim Dankwambo, former Governor of Gombe State
Omoyele Sowore, Founder, Sahara Reporters
Gbenga Daniel, Former Governor of Ogun State
Gabriel Suswam, former Governor of Benue State.
Babatunde Ogunnaike, engineering professor
Wale Babalakin, lawyer and businessman

Renaming proposal
On 29 May 2012, the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, proposed to rename the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University in honor of Moshood Abiola, who died in jail as a political prisoner in 1998. The proposed name change became a subject of protests from students and alumni. The proposal was consequently jettisoned as the Nigerian Federal Government gave in to the protests incited by the proposed name change.

See also
 
 List of universities in Nigeria

References

External links
University of Lagos official website
University of Lagos Alumni Association official website

 
Category:Educational institutions established in 1962
Category:1962 establishments in Nigeria
Category:Public universities in Nigeria
Category:Business schools in Lagos
Category:Medical schools in Nigeria