UNILAG,CPE Celebrates 50 Years of Academic Excellence, Cites Funding, Infrastructure Woes
UNILAG,CPE Celebrates 50 Years of Academic Excellence, Cites Funding, Infrastructure Woes
okpe chinenye 
The Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering (CPE) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently marked its Golden Jubilee, commemorating 50 years of unwavering commitment to academic excellence and contributions to Nigeria's oil and gas sector.
The jubilant celebrations commenced on Monday, October 16, 2023, with a Press Conference that brought together an audience of press members and esteemed faculty. Dr. Faith Babalola, the acting Head of Department, used the occasion to underscore the department's dedication to nurturing world-class graduates capable of providing innovative solutions to national challenges.
In a poignant trip down memory lane, Dr. Babalola reminisced about the department's humble beginnings, tracing its origins back to October 1973 when it welcomed a mere 15 pioneer students. These students were admitted with "A" level certificates to pursue a three-year Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering. The department's growth and substantial impact over the decades were attributed to the foresight and unwavering commitment of successive managements, Heads of Department, and other stakeholders.
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The department's achievements have been manifold, including the inception of postgraduate programs. In 1978, they introduced the Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Chemical Engineering, followed by the initiation of Ph.D. programs in 1981 and the launch of a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in 1985.
Additionally, the department introduced a professional Masters in Process Engineering (MPE) in 2003 and welcomed its first batch of students into Petroleum and Chemical Engineering in 2002.
Dr. Babalola shared remarkable statistics related to graduations, underscoring the department's outstanding contributions to the field. Over the years, the department has produced a total of 2169 first-degree holders in Chemical Engineering, 574 in Petroleum and Gas Engineering, 66 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) holders, 242 professional Masters in Process Engineering (MPE), 633 M.Sc. graduates, and 38 Ph.D. awardees, all in Chemical Engineering.
Despite the jubilation surrounding the Golden Jubilee, concerns were raised about the challenges confronting the nation's tertiary education system. Dr. Babalola voiced her lament regarding inadequate funding, which has resulted in dilapidated infrastructure, a lack of equipment and technological advancements, and a reduction in staff numbers due to retirements without replacements.
Dr. Babalola emphasized the need for the government to address the calls for improved funding and greater institutional autonomy, underscoring that the inadequacies in Nigeria's tertiary education system have hindered some of the accomplishments that the department could have achieved.
Members of the press posed questions and engaged in discussions about the deplorable state of tertiary education in Nigeria and its impact on the department. They identified key areas requiring intervention and emphasized the urgency of government action to support educational institutions across the country.
Notwithstanding these challenges, Dr. Babalola commended the dedication of the department's staff and called upon alumni to leverage the Golden Jubilee as an opportunity to contribute to their alma mater.
The Golden Jubilee festivities continued with an awareness walk that resembled a vibrant carnival procession on the university campus. The aim was to draw attention to the milestone celebration of the Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering.
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The commemoration is set to persist with a lecture scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023, titled "Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department UNILAG: the past fifty years and looking forward." This lecture will provide an insightful reflection on the department's achievements and its vision for the future.
