UNILAG Hosts Maiden Workplace Preparedness Forum, Reinforces Push for Industry-Ready Graduates

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reaffirmed its commitment to producing work-ready and value-driven graduates with the successful hosting of the maiden edition of its Workplace Preparedness Interactive Forum.

The forum, organised by the Office of Advancement and held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, Akoka Campus, brought together students, alumni and university leadership under the theme “From Lecture Room to Boardroom.”

The event attracted a large turnout of students across all levels, with strong participation from final-year students, particularly those from departments within the Faculty of Management Sciences.

Designed to bridge the gap between academic training and the realities of the professional world, the forum exposed students to practical career pathways, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the mindset required to thrive beyond the university. It also reinforced UNILAG’s growing reliance on alumni engagement as a strategic tool for mentorship, institutional growth and graduate success.

Two prominent alumni of the Faculty of Management Sciences served as keynote speakers: Managing Director of First Securities Discount House (FSDH), Mr. Segun Odusanya, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sunu Assurances Limited, Dr. Samuel Ogbodu.

In his address, Mr. Odusanya shared his personal journey at UNILAG, recounting how he entered the university at age 17 as a distracted freshman and struggled academically in his first year. He described that setback as the turning point that forced him to refocus, eventually graduating as a University Scholar with multiple academic awards.

Drawing from decades of experience in Africa’s financial services sector, including senior leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank across five East African countries, he outlined five core values students must cultivate alongside technical competence: discipline, focus, integrity, teamwork with consideration for others, and multicultural awareness.

He charged students to be intentional about their university experience, stressing that excellence is driven by character and consistency, not brilliance alone.

In a major highlight of the event, Mr. Odusanya announced the endowment of a prize for the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Business Administration. He disclosed that the award would include a substantial financial component to support the recipient’s chosen career path, whether in corporate employment or entrepreneurship, describing it as a way of giving back to the institution that shaped him.

Speaking next, Dr. Ogbodu commended the Office of Advancement for what he described as a timely and purpose-driven initiative. He urged students to approach their time in the university deliberately, advising them to allow the university experience to shape their thinking, values and relationships.

He emphasised the strategic value of mentorship and networks, recounting how credibility built during his student leadership years at UNILAG later translated into career-defining opportunities. According to him, relationships formed as a student eventually moved him from a back-office role into the front office of corporate leadership, accelerating his professional growth.

Dr. Ogbodu stressed that relationships remain a critical career currency, noting that today’s classmates often become tomorrow’s collaborators, clients and partners. He also advised students to understand organisational culture early in their careers, explaining that recognising whether an organisation is customer-centric, professional or legalistic is essential to long-term success.

Like his co-speaker, he underscored the importance of integrity, transparency and teamwork, charging students to make these values their professional identity. He further encouraged resilience, early business development and entrepreneurial thinking, reminding participants that many graduates are destined not only to seek jobs, but to create them.

On a lighter note, Dr. Ogbodu disclosed his preference for UNILAG graduates during recruitment, citing their adaptability and professional value. He concluded by announcing an endowment for the Department of Actuarial Sciences and Insurance, a gesture that drew enthusiastic reactions from students.

The forum featured an interactive question-and-answer session marked by open dialogue, humour and candid exchanges, reinforcing UNILAG’s strong town-and-gown culture and alumni mentorship tradition.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, delivered opening remarks through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Afolabi Lesi, FAS. He praised the Director of the Office of Advancement, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, FNIM, for leadership driven by innovation and expanding alumni engagement.

Professor Lesi assured the speakers that their counsel would yield impact, highlighting UNILAG’s robust entrepreneurship culture and the role of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) in producing problem-solvers, innovators and business owners within the student population.

He urged students to maximise the rare mentorship opportunity, describing the insights shared as assets that would remain relevant long after graduation.

Heads of the Departments of Actuarial Sciences and Insurance, and Finance, Professor Sulaimon Adeleke and Dr. Shiro, were also in attendance and encouraged students to fully apply the guidance received.

Proceedings were moderated by the Director of the Office of Advancement, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, who challenged students to actively network with the speakers and their professional teams.

With the successful delivery of the maiden Workplace Preparedness Forum, the University of Lagos once again demonstrated its deliberate investment in holistic student development, positioning its graduates not just to earn degrees, but to lead, innovate and compete effectively in the global workplace.