SPGS to commence online clearance of students in 2026

By Jacinta Emeka, Iroegbu Esther, Amarachi Emeribe

The school of postgraduate studies (SPGS), University of Lagos (UNILAG), says it will commence full online clearance of postgraduate students in 2026 as part of efforts to improve students’ academic experience.

Abraham Osinubi, dean of the school, disclosed this in an interview with UNILAG Sun, saying the move would eliminate the need for students to move physically from office to office during clearance processes.

According to him, several postgraduate processes have already been automated, including online submission of forms, semester-based processing of results and reduced physical clearance requirements.

Osinubi said the planned transition to full digital clearance aligns with the university’s broader drive to raise the standard of postgraduate education.

He said UNILAG’s postgraduate programmes are structured to combine academic rigour with industry relevance, noting that courses are jointly facilitated by experienced academics and professionals.

“No university in West Africa comes near us in terms of the experience, exposure, and academic attainment,” he said.

“Those are our major strengths here at the University of Lagos.

“When we started the business school, no single academic taught a course. It is always in conjunction with an industry expert.”

He added that the same approach is being applied across postgraduate programmes, including mass communication, where professors are expected to co-teach with practitioners from relevant broadcast and media industries.

The dean also announced the introduction of a new postgraduate candidacy assessment, which has replaced the former qualifying examination.

He said the assessment evaluates prospective students’ digital literacy, critical thinking, logic, verbal reasoning and analytical ability to ensure they are adequately prepared for postgraduate training.

“These are tested to ensure that anybody coming for postgraduate education is capable of undergoing postgraduate training,” he said.

Osinubi said the school will also place greater emphasis on the use of case studies in classrooms to improve learning outcomes.

He disclosed that at least 300 mediator staff will be trained on four modern learning modes — case-based learning, problem-based learning, scenario-based learning and fieldwork learning — to promote authentic learning experiences.

The dean said the school aims to create a more interactive learning environment by reducing the gap between lecturers and students.

This, he said, will encourage students’ engagement and collaboration in postgraduate classrooms.