LASUCOM Receives Research Boost as VC Commissions Lab Facilities Donated by UK-Based Don

The Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM, has received a significant boost to its training and research capacity as the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, commissioned donated laboratory facilities from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, University of West London, facilitated by UK-based Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Prof. Bernadine Idowu-Onibokun.

The commissioning took place on Tuesday, 15th September, 2026.

Commending the donor, the Vice-Chancellor described the gesture as a "kind and thoughtful" contribution to the College, noting that it reflected the importance of giving back to institutions and communities at home after achieving professional success abroad.

"It is one thing to achieve success abroad and it is another to deliberately give back to your home and support institutions here," Prof. Olatunji-Bello said, expressing admiration for the donor’s commitment to giving back and advancing education at home.

She described the equipment as more than a material donation, stressing that it represented an investment in the medical and clinical training of future medical professionals and encouraged the College to ensure that the equipment was properly managed and maintained for sustained use by students and researchers.

Prof. Bernadine Idowu-Onibokun, whose academic career spans biomedical sciences, research and higher education, also used the occasion to challenge students to think beyond obtaining a degree and begin to consider the possibilities that their education could create.

In her inspirational lecture, titled "Beyond the Degree: Building Your Career, Creating Opportunities and Making an Impact," she shared aspects of her personal and professional journey, explaining that her path to becoming a Professor was shaped by opportunities, supportive people and her willingness to embrace opportunities when they came.

She urged the students to deliberately build relationships, find mentors, embrace opportunities that challenge them and eventually become mentors and opportunity creators themselves, and further encouraged them to build not only careers but lasting legacies, urging them to use their education and professional journeys to contribute to society.

Her engagement with the students also reflected her advocacy for greater visibility, mentoring and opportunities for Black talent in biomedical sciences. She noted her involvement in the Black in Biomedical Sciences initiative, established to inspire Black students to pursue biomedical science and postgraduate studies while providing networks, work experience, mentoring and coaching opportunities.

For LASUCOM, the donation is expected to strengthen practical medical training and research, while the Professor’s engagement with students provided an opportunity for them to gain insight into career possibilities, professional development and the responsibility to give back to society.