UNILAG's Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department Marks 50 Years: Former Vice-Chancellor Delivers Jubilee Lecture and Advocates Strengthened Alumni Ties
Former Vice Chancellor of Unilag Advocates for Closer Relationship with Alumni in Golden Jubilee Celebration
Faith Orji 
The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering marked a significant milestone with a commemorative lecture delivered by the university's former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, FAEng.
In a presentation titled "Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, UNILAG: The Past Fifty Years and Looking Forward," Professor Bello traced the department's journey from its inception in 1973. He emphasized the department's substantial contributions to the development of human capital in the country, which, in turn, played a vital role in advancing industrial growth.
The department's transformation from a modest academic unit with a single lecturer and program to a prolific producer of hundreds of Chemical Engineers was a notable highlight. Professor Bello proudly announced that the department had graduated 2,434 students with B.Sc degrees in Chemical Engineering and 544 with B.Sc degrees in Petroleum and Gas Engineering. Additionally, it had seen the successful completion of 633 M.Sc graduates and 38 Ph.D. holders, who have been making remarkable contributions in both industry and academia on a global scale.
Pioneer HOD of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Prof. Ayodele Francis Ogunye
Acknowledging the contributions of numerous individuals, starting from the pioneer Head of Department, Retired Professor A.F. Ogunye, Professor Bello urged the current department leadership to foster stronger ties with alumni, as this would bring in additional benefits to the department.
He stated that the Department has reached a point where alumni relations should be taken seriously and that it should establish an organized channel for direct interaction with its alumni, in collaboration with the university's Alumni Office. Reconnecting with our current students and alumni will undoubtedly bring back the department's glorious years.
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The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian Chukwu, represented the Vice-Chancellor at the event. He extended congratulations to the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering on their jubilee celebration, emphasizing their achievements in academic excellence, research, and community service throughout the years. He conveyed the Vice-Chancellor's felicitations on behalf of the entire university, wishing the department continued success and impact.
A Group Photograph of attendees
The founding Head of the Department, Professor Ayodele Francis Ogunye, was also present at the event, sharing the origins of the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at the University of Lagos.
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The lecture brought together alumni, staff, and students of the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering. The jubilee celebration's program included another lecture on "The Crucial Role of Alumni in Departmental Development" scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The celebrations began with an Awareness Walk and Press Conference on Monday, October 16, 2023.
