Sanwo-Olu pledges to support tertiary institutions for growth

•Urges alumni to support institutions for students to compete globally

Etim Ekpimah

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said his administration will continue to ensure tertiary education in the state remains relevant and take its pride of place through innovative ideas and practical knowledge for students to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

According to him, his administration established two state-owned universities, Lagos State University of Technology and University of Education, during his first term.

He added that there is a plan to establish the University of Medical Sciences next year to increase the number of state-owned universities to four, noting the proposed university will address medical tourism.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser – Media and Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, 3 October 2024.

Sanwo-Olu spoke at the University of Lagos Faculty of Engineering 60th Anniversary celebration and Sixth Alumni Public Lecture themed: “The Nigerian Power Industry: Past, Present and Future”, held at the university’s campus in Akoka, Lagos State.

The governor, who was the chairman at the event, which featured the relaunch of the development fund for the Faculty of Engineering, said the faculty had become a beacon of theoretical excellence and it should be supported to produce future engineers.

He charged different public and private organisations, particularly government officials, to contribute towards the growth and development of their alma mata and hold the hands of students for on-the-spot practical work on sites.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mr Noimot Salako-Oyedele (an engineer), called for support for the coming generation of engineers by urging the alumni to donate towards the redevelopment and regeneration of the engineering faculty.

In her address, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who stressed the need for alumni support for the growth of the institution, called on alumni to continue to collaborate with the university to achieve the development of Nigeria, which can only be made possible by training engineers of the future.

The Chairman, UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, Mr Dideolu Falobi (an engineer), who was represented by his vice, Mr Yetunde Holloway ((an engineer)), said the faculty had over the years nurtured scholars and produced exceptional minds.

He, therefore, appealed to all alumni to come together and leverage their positions in society and resources to make the University of Lagos’ Faculty of Engineering the Harvard of Nigeria. Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNILAG, Prof. Samson Adeosun, urged the alumni to continue to support shaping the future of engineering education as they looked forward to emerging technology to foster sustainable solutions and cultivate global partnerships.