The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was able to attract up to N5 billion in research in the past one year, a lecturer in the university disclosed.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of the institution’s 14th Annual Research Conference and Fair coming up August 21 to 23, Chairman of the Abstract Sub-Committee, Dr Diran Akinleye, said the grants, which came from mostly foreign sources had helped boost the institution’s international ranking to first in Nigeria and 12th in Africa.
Akinleye who is an associate professor said: “In the last one year, the university has attracted about N5 billion in external research funding. This is why, among other reasons, at the moment the University of Lagos is ranked the best in Nigeria and 12th best in Africa, according to Times Higher Education ranking.
“Activities like the research fairs are organised to position the university among the top three in Africa in the next three years”.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Prof Abayomi Okanlawon, said Dr Dere Awosika, an independent non-Executive Director in Access Bank, and Chairman, Chams PLC, would deliver the keynote address on the theme: “Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities for the 21st Century Research and Development” at the conference, while former Group Executive Director, NNPC and now Executive Partner, Africa Capital Alliance, Mr Afolabi Oladele, an engineer, would serve as the Plenary Speaker.