UNILAG Honours Academic Trailblazer Professor Uchenna Udeani with 5-in-1 Milestone Celebration

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) community gathered in a grand assembly on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to celebrate the illustrious career and 70th birthday of Professor Uchenna Nkiruka Udeani, a distinguished Professor of Science Education.

The event, described as a "five-in-one" landmark celebration, integrated several significant milestones in the life of the scholar, including:

70th Birthday Anniversary

Valedictory Service

Official Retirement Programme

Festschrift Presentation (a collection of scholarly writings in her honour)

Foundation Launch

Professor Udeani has been a pivotal figure at the UNILAG Faculty of Education, specifically within the Department of Science and Technology Education. Beyond the classroom, she made history as the first female Director of the UNILAG Distance Learning Institute (DLI), where she spearheaded numerous reforms to enhance flexible learning and digital access for students.

The University of Lagos management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, alongside colleagues and former students, lauded Professor Udeani for her "quiet but profound" impact. Speakers at the event highlighted her dedication to science pedagogy, her mentorship of younger academics, and her role in breaking gender barriers within the university’s administrative ranks.

The launch of her new foundation during the ceremony signals her continued commitment to education and social impact even in retirement. The foundation is expected to support aspiring scholars and promote science education initiatives across Nigeria.