An entourage of the University of Lagos led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Eko Atlantic, Lagos.
The UNILAG team included the three (3) Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Prof. Bola Oboh (Academics & Research), Prof. Afolabi Lesi ( Development Sciences) and Prof. ‘Muyiwa Falaiye (Management Services); Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe; Deputy Provost, College of Medicine (CMUL), Prof. Daniel Odebiyi; Director, Academic Planning Unit, Prof. Matthew Ilori; Director, Institite of Maritime Studies, Prof. Oluwakemi Odukoya; Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Taiwo Asekun; former Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Management Services): Prof. Duro Oni and Lucian Chukwu; and members of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Prof. Ogunsola expressed gratitude for the state-of-the-art Geosciences Centre for Excellence building donated by SNEPCo, highlighting its significance for academia, student development, and training. She raised concerns about the sustainability and maintenance of the infrastructure, noting the university’s limited resources to manage it effectively.
The Vice-Chancellor outlined the university’s ongoing reforms aimed at producing graduates equipped for the evolving energy and maritime sectors. These include: curriculum innovation and unbundling of programmes to align with global trends; strategic collaborations and expansion of international partnerships, as well as exploration of opportunities in emerging fields such as ocean systems and subsea engineering.
Prof. Ogunsola also introduced the “Professor-in-Practice” initiative, designed to integrate seasoned industry professionals into academia, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. She emphasized the need for joint research initiatives, stressing that while the university possesses talent and capacity, it requires advanced equipment to deliver industry solutions.
The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Ronald Adams who received the UNILAG team along with top executives of the company, assured that the university’s requests, particularly regarding the maintenance of the newly constructed Geosciences Centre for Excellence building, would be considered. He re-affirmed SNEPCo’s dedication to Nigeria’s growth agenda and underscored the company’s social investment portfolio in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while encouraging deeper collaboration in geosciences and engineering.
The dialogue was expanded by members of the UNILAG delegation as the Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe appealed for healthcare support for UNILAG staff; while the Director of Academic Planning Unit, Prof. Matthew Ilori highlighted faculty expertise in addressing industry challenges. Gbenga Odusami (Project Manager, Brownfield Projects & Construction, SNPECo, and UNILAG alumnus) also advocated leveraging alumni relations to strengthen ties, while the Special Project Advisor, SNEPCo and DBA student at ULBS, Mr. Tajudeen Adebayo welcomed the “Professor-in-Practice” initiative as a valuable opportunity for professionals.
Delivering the vote of thanks at the end of the visit, immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Lucian Chukwu expressed gratitude to SNEPCo for demonstrating its confidence in the younger generation, and engaging UNILAG students in the Geosciences building project. He noted that contractors and project engineers demonstrated exceptional commitment and excellence.
Prof Chukwu also acknowledged the company’s provision of cutting-edge equipment for the Centre, describing it as a testament to SNEPCo’s commitment to innovation and education.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Ayo Oloyede
