The Chancellor of Lagos State University, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, has outlined an ambitious vision to deepen the institution’s global relevance through strategic international partnerships, technology-driven learning and balanced development across its campuses.
Speaking with The PUNCH on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Institute Universities Leaders Conference recently held in Lagos, Ogunsanwo said fostering relationships with Ivy League and other leading international institutions would rank among his priorities as chancellor.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the visitor to LASU, had in February appointed Oba Ogunsanwo as the university’s sixth chancellor, succeeding Gbolahan Elias.
According to the chancellor, stronger global academic ties would expand learning opportunities, research collaboration and academic exposure for students.
“We want to promote collaboration with other Ivy League institutions so that we can have a kind of relationship to advance the course of study for the students as well,” he said.
The Ivy League comprises eight prestigious universities in the United States, widely recognised for academic excellence, historic traditions and highly competitive admissions. LASU had earlier, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, entered a partnership agreement with Cornell University in 2020 to establish a business school.
Beyond international partnerships, Ogunsanwo said his vision includes leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and information and communications technology to align the university more closely with institutions in developed countries.
“Another thing that we need to do, that I would like to do, is to see how the institution can leverage AI, ICT and other things to bring it up to speed with other institutions in developed countries,” he said.
He also highlighted infrastructure development as a key priority, particularly in the area of student accommodation, while pledging to encourage equitable growth across LASU’s campuses in Ojo, Badagry, Epe and the College of Medicine.
“Part of my vision is to ensure that there is even development in all four campuses, so that development is not only seen in the main campus but spreads around the other campuses,” he said.
Ogunsanwo stressed that achieving such ambitions would require increased funding and stronger revenue generation to support infrastructure expansion and broader institutional growth.
He also pledged to promote industrial harmony among academic and non-academic staff, describing peaceful working relationships as essential to sustaining the university’s progress after more than four decades of existence.
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