Life Sciences Faculty Created to Promote Focused Research, Says Dean

By Success Essien, Mariam Sodiq, Effiong Stella, Elugbaju Happiness, Nwalie Chiamaka

The dean of the newly established Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ganiyu Oyetibo, says the creation of the faculty was driven by the need to enhance research impact and promote a more focused academic environment.

Speaking in an interview with UNILAG Sun, Oyetibo said the restructuring would allow scholars to form strong research clusters, engage their communities more effectively and contribute meaningfully to solving societal problems.

“For students, this gives a sense of belonging,” he said.

“Without quality research, there is no way to have a real impact.

“I cannot tell you your dress is blue when it is actually purple, unless I can show you the evidence that proves it.”

Oyetibo said his leadership of the faculty is guided by inclusivity, integrity and accountability, creating an environment where both students and staff can thrive and where individual ambitions are respected.

He said the faculty plans to strengthen research output by harnessing its collective potential and adopting a new research approach aligned with the university’s goal of becoming a future-ready, world-class institution.

According to him, effective research is essential for quality teaching, noting that lecturers must base their teaching on evidence and experience rather than theory alone.

“We are not just teachers, we are academics,” he said.

“What we teach must be evidence-based, drawn from our experience in the laboratory.”

The dean clarified that the faculty of life sciences is not entirely new but emerged from the restructuring of the former faculty of science, which he said had become too large for effective administration.

He said the former faculty had expanded to about 13 departments, making coordination increasingly difficult.

Oyetibo added that the Faculty of Life Sciences will now oversee nearly 20 programmes across life sciences and related fields. 

This, he said, would strengthen UNILAG’s scientific footprint and research relevance.