LASUED Charts a New Course for Excellence: Vice Chancellor Lafiaji-Okuneye Flags Off Capacity-Building Workshop to Sustain 100% Accreditation Success

By Sultan Teslim

The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for all staff of the institution, aimed at consolidating its recent 100 percent accreditation success and advancing academic excellence.

Themed “From Standard to Sustenance: Approaches to Strengthening Accredited Programmes,” the workshop was formally declared open by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, who delivered an inspiring keynote address that underscored the University’s commitment to sustaining quality and institutional growth.

In her address, Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye expressed deep gratitude to God for the institution’s remarkable achievements within its short existence and commended the dedication and collective efforts of the University’s staff.

She recalled the milestone recorded in the last quarter of 2024, when LASUED presented sixty-four (64) academic programmes for accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and achieved an outstanding 100 percent success rate—with sixty-one (61) programmes granted full accreditation and three (3) awarded interim accreditation.

“This remarkable feat, achieved in less than four years after our transition from the former Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), is a testimony to the collective zeal, dedication, and commitment of our workforce,” the Vice Chancellor remarked.

She attributed the success to the dedication of staff and students, the guidance of the NUC, and the unwavering support of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of the University’s Visitor, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye reiterated that LASUED’s vision remains rooted in its A.C.H.I.E.V.E Agenda—an institutional framework that promotes Academic Culture, Community Relations, Human Capacity Development, Infrastructural Growth, Entrepreneurship, Valuable Research, and Excellence in Professionalism.

“Our 100% accreditation success is a product of the A.C.H.I.E.V.E Agenda. However, achieving standards is only the beginning; sustaining them is the real challenge,” she stated. “This workshop is therefore designed to reinforce our institutional capacity, deepen professional ethics, and make excellence a permanent culture at LASUED.”

The Vice Chancellor further urged all staff members to remain committed to the University’s mission of building a globally competitive teacher education institution. She disclosed that the workshop would address key areas such as leadership and mentorship, postgraduate programme development, student affairs, research management, financial prudence, ethics, communication, and maintenance culture—all critical to sustaining LASUED’s academic and administrative standards.

The opening session featured a keynote lecture by Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, FAS, FAAS, FLS—former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and current Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University (RUN).

Speaking on the topic, “Effective Leadership in University Administration,” Professor Ogundipe emphasized that effective leadership remains the bedrock of institutional sustainability. He highlighted the need for leaders in academia to combine vision with pragmatism, foster collaboration, and create a culture that sustains innovation, integrity, and inclusivity.

“University leadership is not about titles,” he noted, “but about inspiring intellectual growth, promoting accountability, and nurturing a system that encourages excellence.”

The two-day workshop attracted Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, as well as academic and non-academic staff, as part of LASUED’s ongoing professional development strategy to strengthen internal quality assurance and align the institution with global educational standards.

Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye reaffirmed the University’s resolve to produce competent, ethical, and innovative educators who will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s educational advancement. She restated her administration’s dedication to sustaining a culture of accountability, innovation, and integrity across all levels of the institution.

“We are building an institution that will not only stand the test of time but will also serve as a model for teacher education in Africa,” she affirmed. “Our journey from standard to sustenance is one of shared vision, shared responsibility, and shared excellence.”

She commended the Planning Committee for their diligence, the facilitators for their expertise, and participants for their active engagement, urging them to translate the knowledge gained into actionable strategies that will strengthen LASUED’s systems and operations.

Established in 2022 through the merger of AOCOED and MOCPED, LASUED stands today as Lagos State’s first dedicated University of Education and one of Nigeria’s emerging centers of academic excellence. Under the visionary leadership of Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye, the institution continues to embody the educational transformation agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, setting new benchmarks in teacher education, research, and community impact.