The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was established in 1962 by an Act of the Federal Parliament, University of Lagos Act No. 11 of 1962. Its founding was a direct response to Nigeria’s need for a skilled and professional workforce to drive the nation’s social, economic, and political development. The university commenced operations on October 22, 1962, with an initial intake of 131 students, and since then, it has grown significantly, producing numerous graduates who have excelled in diverse fields of human endeavor.

Initially, the University of Lagos operated with an eleven-member Provisional Council and a separate Council for its Medical School. This unique structure was revised in 1967 with the promulgation of the University of Lagos Decree, which integrated the Medical School into the main university, establishing a single governing Council. The Medical School then became the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, operating under a collegiate system to maintain a degree of autonomy necessary for its specialized responsibilities.

The university began with three faculties: Commerce and Business Administration (later renamed Business and Social Studies), Law, and Medicine. By 1964, the faculties of Arts, Education, Engineering, and Science were added. Today, UNILAG boasts a comprehensive academic structure comprising twelve faculties, including those within the College of Medicine: Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences.

Beyond its faculties, UNILAG also includes specialized units such as the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), and several accredited research centers that offer various degree programs. These institutions are all accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), further emphasizing the university’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and producing skilled manpower for the nation.

UNILAG operates from three distinct campuses: the main campus located in Akoka, the School of Radiography in Yaba, and the College of Medicine situated in Idi-Araba, Surulere. Over its six decades of existence, thirteen Vice-Chancellors have led the institution. The current and thirteenth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, holds the distinction of being the first female to lead this esteemed institution, often referred to as “the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride.”

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in Africa and is recognized for its academic rigor and research output. It is one of the most competitive universities in Nigeria in terms of admissions and has one of the largest student populations in the country, with approximately 57,000 students as of 2013. UNILAG’s research activities were a major factor in its recognition as the best university in Nigeria at the Nigerian University System Annual Merit Award (NUSAMA) in 2008. The university is also known as a “startup powerhouse” college for Nigerian students, ranking third in Africa for entrepreneurship according to Forbes magazine.