JCIN UNILAG Hosts Its Maiden Organization Week

By Favour Alli and Maryam Abdulhakeem

In a bid to redefine student leadership and community impact, the Junior Chamber International Nigeria, University of Lagos (JCIN UNILAG), has successfully hosted its first Organisation Week. The event, which ran from Monday, June 23rd to Saturday, June 28th, 2025, featured a vibrant lineup of activities aimed at promoting civic engagement, mental wellness, academic discourse, and community impact.

With the support of key partners including Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services (LSBTS), Rotaract Club of Lagos, Web3UNILAG, Nigerian Red Cross Society, UNILAG, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), AIESEC in Lagos, and Pocari Sweat, the week lived up to its promise, combining impact with energy, and education with entertainment.

The week officially began on Monday with a Publicity Walk, as JCIN UNILAG members moved across campus to spread awareness about the organisation and its upcoming events. During the walk, flyers were distributed to promote mental health education and the virtual webinar organised in partnership with MANI.

On Tuesday, June 24th, students tuned in virtually for the Mental Health Awareness Webinar, themed “Navigating Adulthood: Building Your Future While Prioritising Your Mental Health”. According to the Director of Projects and Programs, Winifred Umoren, this theme was chosen because they recognised how easy it is for young people to neglect their mental well-being in the course of making a life for themselves. It aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which emphasises the importance of promoting mental health for all. The session, held via Google Meet at 6 p.m., featured experienced mental health professionals, including Dr. Kareem Abigail Abidemi, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, UNILAG, and Adelore Aisha, clinical psychologist at MANI. The discussion addressed the emotional and mental challenges young adults face, providing guidance, coping mechanisms, and how to manage them in today’s fast-paced world.

The momentum continued on Wednesday with the much-anticipated Inter-Faculty Debate, where representatives from various faculties engaged in critical discourse on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Learning. The debate provided a platform for students to showcase their analytical skills and oratory prowess, all while tackling one of the most pressing topics in global education today.

On Thursday, June 26th, the spotlight turned inward as JCIN UNILAG held its General Assembly and Induction Ceremony. The event marked the official admission of new members who had successfully completed their training process. Open to both members and non-members, the ceremony reinforced the organisation’s commitment to nurturing leadership and character among students. Also marking a major milestone, the ceremony saw over 200 new members formally inducted into the organisation, each now ready to carry forward the chapter’s mission of leadership and service on campus.

The week’s focus shifted to health and humanitarian service on Friday with a Blood Drive and Wellness Check-Up Day at the Access Bank Park. In collaboration with health partners, the initiative encouraged students to donate blood and undergo basic medical screening, reinforcing the message that service starts with caring for others and oneself. According to the Director of Projects and Programs, a total of 107 students registered to be donors, and over 60 were successfully able to donate. “This turnout showed the willingness of students to support life-saving initiatives. It was a chance for students to learn, get involved, and make a positive impact in their community,” she added.

To round off the week on a lively note, Saturday was dedicated to Sporting Events held at the University of Lagos Sports Centre on Saturday, June 28th. Several student organisations participated in various athletics and field games, with cheers, laughter, and a shared spirit of healthy competition. The day not only promoted physical wellness but also strengthened the bonds of camaraderie and teamwork among the various students’ communities.

The Vice President, International and Community, Amarachi Frederick, stated that the aim of the programs were to purposefully engage the student community – both intellectually and in terms of health and well-being. “The impact of the events to the University of Lagos and the student community was the clarity on healthiness, healthy competition, mental health, physical health and a healthy society in general,” the Executive Vice President, Abolore Yusuf Fathia, explained.