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By Philip Nwosu
Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has charged participants of the University of Lagos Business School (UBLS) to deploy their training to develop business frameworks uniquely suited to Nigeria and capable of reshaping the country’s economic and global narrative.
Professor Ogunsola gave the charge at the fifth graduation reception party pointing out that survival in today’s rapidly changing world is no longer enough, stressing that adaptation, innovation and problem-solving are the true measures of relevance and success.
“Many think that we will survive, but what really matters is how we adapt—how we breathe, how we move and how we deal with and conquer the world’s problems,” she said. “I wish you a future not of ease, but of challenges, because that is the only way you are going to grow.”
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the growing convergence between academia and the business world, describing it as critical to national development. She disclosed that UNILAG is set to graduate its first cohort of 28 Doctor of Business Administration holders this year.
She noted that the university expects the graduates to leverage both their academic exposure and industry experience to generate original concepts, patterns and frameworks that reflect Nigeria’s peculiar business environment.
“What we do in academia is to look for patterns, develop concepts and frameworks,” Ogunsola said. “We expect frameworks that are unique to Nigeria, which we can share with the world, and which will also work for many African nations, the global South and even parts of the global North, because things are changing.”
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Professor Ogunsola expressed optimism that the DBA graduates would contribute to improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria through innovative policies, practices and new ways of thinking.
She further urged them to approach their post-programme careers with a renewed perspective, constantly interrogating their business practices with the aim of institutionalising best practices and passing knowledge to future generations.
Beyond business outcomes, the UNILAG VC called on the graduates to act as ambassadors of national rebranding, urging them to promote positive narratives about Nigeria.
“As a Nigerian patriot, I hope we will use this to change the narrative about our country,” she said. “We must give our country grace to make mistakes and be part of the solution. Too often, we focus on negative narratives, especially on social media.”
She encouraged them to highlight Nigeria’s strengths and successes in order to continuously improve the country’s image and global brand.
Professor Ogunsola concluded by congratulating the participants on nearing alumni status, reminding them that UNILAG stands for excellence and character, and wishing them resilience and the “spirit of overcoming” as they step into the next phase of their professional journeys.
