The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is
planning to introduce a master’s degree programme in terrorism and security
studies, as part of the effort to address the nation’s security challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adetokunbo
Sofoluwe, made this known at a news conference in Lagos last Tuesday to
announce the university’s 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for October.

Sofoluwe said the university was concerned
about the security challenges and would contribute its best toward eradicating
terrorism in the country.

“We want to be able to contribute our quota
toward national peace and stability which remained critical to national
development.

He said that the university authorities
were determined to make the institution to rank among the world’s best 100.

Sofoluwe said UNILAG must attain that feat
to justify its appellation as Nigeria’s pride.

“So far, the university has established
itself as the number one in Nigeria.

“We will continue to keep our doors open
for partnership linkages, to assist us in realising our set goal of becoming
one of the best in the world,” he said.

The professor of computer science said that
the university had enjoyed international visibility through partnerships.

He said that the recent ones were with
China’s Soochow University and the University of South Africa.

Sofoluwe, however, said that the UNILAG
needed funds to provide enough facilities for teaching and learning.

“We need about N100 billion to invest in
accommodation and replace and upgrade facilities to enhance teaching and
learning, as well as encourage research and development.

“We are 50 years old and we cannot hide the
fact that we, too, are suffering from the ageing disease. We are, however,
happy for the kind of understanding and cooperation we are getting from both
students and staff, as regard the state of our facilities.

“I want to attribute the improved steady
academic calendar and activities to the constant dialogue that we have always
had with them,” he said.

He appealed to stakeholders to donate
toward the realisation of the university’s goals.

“I am happy to announce that the National
Maritime and Safety Agency has just donated one billion naira to facilitate the
building of a maritime institute.

“Over the last 50 years, the university has
graduated more than 50,000 persons, many of whom are at the commanding height
of politics, industry, government and academia, nationally and internationally,
he added.