Brief History of Lagos State University

The Lagos State University was established by a bill passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor on April 22, 1983. The Institution was created by the Lagos State University Stature No. 1 of 1983. The guidelines for the programmes of the Lagos State University include the following objectives amongst others:

1. To form the apex of the educational system of the State
2. To provide innovative educational programmes of high standard of relevance for State and National Development and;
3. To serve as a creative custodian, promoter and propagator of the State’s social and cultural heritage and resources.

Philosophy Of Lagos State University.

1. Lagos State University utilizing all available resources should provide every deserving candidate(s) the opportunity to further his or her education.
2. Lagos State University will help bridge the gap between manpower requirements (particularly in Science and Technology) in the public and private sectors in the State and low level of available skills especially among the indigenous population of the State.
3. Programmes of studies can provide students not only with saleable skills but enable individuals to develop to their full potential as participating members of the society.
4. The University will be a seat of learning, a votary of truth, a community in pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, a catalyst as well as agent of societal development.

Lagos State University Crest

Conceptual framework

The Lagos State University Crest is conceived as a graphic arrangement of the lofty ideas which gave birth to the Institution. It is an attempt to condense, synthesize and codify the cultural, geographic and political givens peculiar to Lagos state into an inviting, simple and yet relatable emblem that gives the University a distinct personality of its own.

The Motto: “For Truth and Service” sums up the philosophy which informs the founding of the university.

Description

The Crest consists of a shield with a soft, U-shaped bottom resting on a decoratively arranged scroll which proclaims the University’s dictum: “For Truth and Service”. On top of the Crest is a horizontal panel bearing the inscription “Lagos State University”

In the Crest are five burning flames, on top of a badge in which an EYO stands in immaculate dignity. The badge itself runs into an open book which in turn rests on a wavy sea.

Interpretation

The Five Burning Flames:

The five burning flames depict enlightenment, a basic concept which informs all institutions of learning. The significance of the five flames is that they represent the five political divisions which make up Lagos State. If political developments in future necessitate change in the number of divisions, the University may either:

1. change the number of flames to correspond to the number of divisions or
2. leave the flames the way they are, thus constituting them into a historical watershed

The outer edge of the badge containing the EYO is surrounded by an undulating ring. This ring serves three purposes. First, it connotes excellence. Second, because its undulating edges are blunt, it signifies a desirable interaction between culture and technology. Normally, the cog which is generally used to symbolise technology is usually sharp edged. However, because Lagos State University would provide a base for relating technology to and integrating it with the indigenous culture, the edges of the cog have been softened. Third, the edges, which are nineteen in all, signify the nineteen states of the federation as of (1984). The wavy lines of the blue stand for water which encompasses virtually the whole of Lagos State.

Colours

1. The yellow ochre which constitutes the background on which the name and the motto of the University are written, as well as the outer ring of the EYO badge, stands for inspiration, academic distinction and excellence.
2. The two shades of blue represent the waters of Lagos State, with all the cultural, aesthetic and economic implications pertaining to them.
3. Black colour stands for technology and urban when pull.

History & Development

In April 1981, an Ad hoc Committee of the Lagos State College of Science and Technology was commissioned to look into the feasibility of converting the college into a University. The committee, headed by Dr. Femi Agbalajobi, advises that the Lagos State College of Science and Technology should remain because of its unique position in the supply of middle-level manpower for Lagos State. It recommended the establishment of a separate University of Technology of Lagos State.

In June 1981, another Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Idowu Sobowale, Special Adviser on Education, Lagos State was empanelled to review the report submitted by Dr. Agbalajobi’s Committee. A three man delegation of the committee later visited some overseas Universities. The committee submitted two reports, the highlights of which are as follows:

1. Traditional University
   A traditional or classical university adjusted to the needs of the State was considered cheaper and more ideal that a University of Technology in view of the civilian administration’s policy of guaranteeing equality of access to education to every citizen. For this reason also a non-residential university was preferred.
2. Organisation
   At first, the traditional structure of Nigerian Universities was recommended, but the Committee, after its visit to some overseas Universities, changed its mind and opted (on grounds of effectiveness and socio-economic factors) for a multiple deputy, multi campus and collegiate system.
3. Admission Policy
   The Committee felt that continuous assessment of pupils by their Headmasters and a minimum of 5 (five) credits in WASC or GCE ‘O’ Level or equivalent examinations should form the basis of admission to the University. It was later recommended that the University intake should be through JAMB with priority given to Lagos State indigenes and students of the Lagos State School System.

In view of the government’s policy of equality of access to education, the students were not to be subjected to further examination to gain admission to the University. The University was to be planned for an initial intake of 20,000 students to reflect a large increase of qualified secondary graduates due to the achievement of 100% transition to secondary schools in 1979.

In view of the far reaching nature of some of the recommendations, the government referred the reports for comment to six renowned academicians, four of whom responded (notably, Professors Oluwasanmi, Mabogunje, Adegbola and Awojobi). Some of the comments were critical of the radical aspects of the proposals.

The Leigh Committee

In 1982, a 12-man Technical committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. A. O. Leigh reviewed working papers submitted to the government, noted the views of certain academics on these proposals, and deliberated on the philosophy and objectives of the proposed University. The Committee also deliberated on an admissions policy, on the organisational structure, the academic programmes and modes of financing the University.

The salient points of the Leigh Committee’s recommendations, with respect to the University are as follows:

1. A Lagos State University should be established to cater for the large number of secondary school leavers anticipated and to correct the apparent imbalance in the admission of Lagos State indigenes into eh existing Federal Universities
2. The University should be of the multi-campus type and should be non residential for both staff and students.
3. Four campuses were proposed in Ojo, Ketu, Agege and Ogombo. The main campus will be established in 1984, followed by an Engineering campus in 1985 (Agege) and a Medical Science campus in 1987 (Ogombo). This was later changed to two campuses; Obafemi Awolowo campus and a further campus at Seme near the Nigeria-Benin border to cater for Engineering and Medical Sciences. (As of November 1984, the Lagos State University has only one campus situated at Ojo. It started with no more than 500 students in the Faculties of Education, Law and Humanities and Sciences)
4. That the admissions policy should give priority to qualified students of the Lagos State school system and Lagos State indigenes elsewhere.
5. That all necessary efforts should be made to ensure an effective and smooth take-off of the University in September/October 1984.

These recommendations were later taken forward by an Implementation committee which spelt out some policies about how the University were to operate (e.g free education, non residential, etc). These policies were later embodied in the law setting up the University.

Infrastructure

The old Government College, Ojo and the adjoining new buildings of the Methodist Boys’ High School together formed the nucleus of the main University campus. On Monday 19th December 1983, the University staff moved from the Old Secretariat, Ikeja into the University’s main campus at Ojo.

The University also took possession of twelve V.I.P chalets at Badagry to accommodate the Deans and Professors. Also allocated by the Lagos State Military governor was the use of the Catering rest house in Badagry, as well as 70 two bedroom flats at Ibereko near Badagry to be used for staff accomodation.

As the University is located about 40km from either Lagos or Badagry, there is bound to be some transport problems for both staff and students. Municipal and private transport authorities were approached to put their fleet of buses on these routes.

The Very First Appointments

The then Governor of Lagos State appointed Professor ‘Folabi Olumide, then the Dean of the School of Clinical Studies, University of Lagos as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University with effect from 27th September 1983. His appointment followed the screening of about ten university professors and two sets of interviews conducted by a distinguished panel of academic and government officials.

Mr S.B Selem (formerly the executive secretary of Lagos State Schools Management Board) was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)

Mr T. O. Odusanya (a former secretary for the Budget in the Governor’s office) was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance).

Mr T.A.B Seriki was appointed as the University Librarian and assumed duties on 7th May 1984.

Three visiting professors were appointed as Deans for the three Faculties.

The University took off with 55 members of Academic staff and 37 Senior Administrative and Technical staff.

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