Excitement as LASUED don delivers varsity first inaugural lecture

By Gabriel Dike

A Professor of Social Studies Education at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin, Prof. Moshood Babatunde Lawal, made history when he became the first professor to deliver the university inaugural lecture among the 31 colleagues promoted to the academic rank in June 2025.

It was an exciting moment among staff and students as they experienced the first ever-inaugural lecture of LASUED established four years ago by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Prof. Lawal’s lecture titled: Nurturing Eco-Conscious and Socially Just Citizens: My Scholarly Journey in Social Studies and Environmental Education, attracted LASUED management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, other principal officers, family members, secondary school mates, academic colleagues, his mentors and other lecturers from sister institutions.

In his 61-page lecture, Prof. Lawal, said he was privileged to be the pioneer professor to deliver an inaugural lecture of the nascent university.

According to him, the lecture hinged on the conviction that education, at its core, is a hopeful act and can shape a better future by equipping the new generation.

Lawal explained that the lecture aspires to bridge disciplinary boundaries and foster a generation of students prepared not only to protect the natural environment, but also to advocate for social transformation and justice within their communities.

He called for a comprehensive review of the curricula of the universities, colleges and faculties of education involved in preparation of pre-teachers in Social Studies and Environmental Education in the country.

The don stressed that the institutions must be positioned to produce who will serve as catalyst for community transformation and national development.

Lawal advised LASUED to consider the introducing an undergraduate degree programme in Environmental Education.

The lecturer disclosed that already, the National Universities Commission (NUC) developed and incorporated the course into its Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).

“Establishing this programme would position the university at the forefront of environmental education in Nigeria, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address pressing ecological and social challenges,” he added.

An elated LASUED VC, Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye told Daily Sun that she feels happy that one of the homegrown professors out of 31 promoted last year, successfully delivered the first-ever LASUED inaugural lecture.

“It gladdens my heart to witness this academic making history in LASUED. Going forward, we have established a culture of inaugural lecture. We expect another one in March,” she noted.

The VC revealed that the university will hold about six inaugural lectures in 2026 and in subsequent years, it will become an academic tradition as the university produces more professors.

She said every professor is expected to deliver an inaugural lecture in his/her field of speciality, adding, “many professors leave the system without inaugurating their chair. It is an academic exercise. I urge the newly promoted professors to come up with their inaugural lecture to showcase their achievements in the field of their study.”