By Damiete Braide
Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto Ijanikin, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and structural development.
Speaking to newsmen, the VC provided insights into the young university’s vision, its gradual evolution, and the strategic decisions being made in line with its academic roadmap.
Addressing concerns about student participation in university governance, Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye clarified that LASUED is strictly following the directives outlined in its academic brief, noting, “as a fledgling institution, the brief stipulates that a formal Student Union (SU) should not be established until the pioneer students reach 400-level.
This provision, she noted, is designed to allow sufficient time for institutional structures to mature and for students to understand the culture and responsibilities of union leadership.
“In our academic brief, it is clearly stated that the Student Union will be floated at the end of 300 level, so that proper interaction and governance can begin in their 400 level,” the VC said. “While we do not yet have a formal SU in place, we are not leaving students without a voice. We have selected seven student representatives from each of the seven colleges within the university. These students have assumed responsibilities in various areas, such as sports, welfare, and academics.”
These interim representatives, she explained, are members of the Student Welfare Committee, a body that engages regularly with the university management to identify and address student needs. “Through this structure, student concerns are brought to the fore and we respond swiftly. It may not be a full-fledged Student Union yet, but it ensures the welfare of our students is not neglected,” she added.
Speaking about security on campus, the VC disclosed efforts that have been made to secure both students and staff in the two campuses (Ijainkin and Epe), adding, “one of our major annual initiatives, is the LASUED Security Summit—an event that brings together all relevant security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and traditional rulers from the host communities.
“The security summit is an opportunity to discuss challenges, build collaborations, and keep our environment safe. We don’t leave security to chance,” she stated. “Beyond the summit, we have built a formidable internal security unit. We’ve also installed CCTV cameras to reinforce surveillance efforts.”
Lafiaji-Okuneye noted that LASUED has recorded no major incidents of cult-related activity on the two campuses, “I can boldly say we have not witnessed any open display or operation of cult groups. When suspected cultists were identified at our Epe Campus, we took swift action and handed them over to the police. Cultism is a criminal offense, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves.”
On the university’s relationship with staff unions, the VC said the spirit of dialogue and mutual respect now characterizes interactions between management and the academic community. “We are very responsive. Whenever there is agitation, we don’t wait for issues to escalate. We invite union leaders, we listen, and we act. This approach has worked well, and I’m glad to say our unions are now more understanding and reasonable.”
She highlighted achievements recorded, among them is the successful hosting of two security summits, which strengthened trust and cooperation among stakeholders and inaugural Internal Audit Summit, aimed at reinforcing transparency, accountability, and effective financial management practices.
According to her, the university has made significant progress with the appointment of 82 Associate Professors across various departments, an action she described as evidence of LASUED’s drive to uphold academic excellence.
She further revealed that 37 academic staff members have successfully earned their doctoral degrees since the institution’s transmutation, while many are currently pursuing doctoral studies in various institutions.
“We are focused on building a solid academic foundation,” she said. “Our faculty members are being empowered through training and academic advancement, and we are investing in a system that will sustain the university’s future.”
Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye reiterated LASUED’s dedication to nurturing a safe, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant community. She added that with steady implementation of its academic brief, the university is poised to become a leading institution in teacher education and research in Nigeria.
Lafiaji-Okunneye also spoke on LASUED’s position regarding postgraduate programmes, adding that many assumed the university would have started postgraduate courses after its transmutation into a full-fledged degree-awarding institution.
“According to our foundational academic brief, postgraduate programmes will commence only after the graduation of our first undergraduate cohort. This is a deliberate and strategic decision to ensure we build a strong academic base before introducing advanced degrees,” she said.