Inaugural Lecture Series

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https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/2036

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 272
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    Open Access
    Is carbon truly as guilty as charged? The perspective of a process systems engineer on sustainability
    (UNILAG Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025-08-06) Usman, M.A.
    This abstract examines the role of carbon within the sustainability discourse from the perspective of a process systems engineer. Carbon—primarily in the form of carbon dioxide—is often viewed as the principal culprit behind climate change and environmental degradation. However, this binary framing oversimplifies complex industrial, ecological, and societal systems. This paper critically analyzes carbon’s multifaceted role, considering both its negative impacts and its essential functions in various processes. By integrating principles of process systems engineering—systems modeling, optimization, and lifecycle assessment—this study evaluates carbon flows and emissions across industries, highlighting opportunities for sustainable redesign. It challenges the conventional guilt assigned to carbon by differentiating between unavoidable process emissions and those from inefficient practices or outdated technologies. The engineering perspective advocates for a systemic approach to sustainability that balances carbon reduction with economic viability and resource efficiency. Essential strategies discussed include carbon capture and utilization, circular economy integration, and innovation in process intensification. The paper also reflects on policy implications and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to align engineering solutions with global sustainability goals. Ultimately, this perspective positions carbon not solely as an environmental villain, but as a critical element whose impact depends on how systems manage and transform it. This nuanced understanding informs more effective strategies for achieving sustainability in process design and operation, supporting a transition to low-carbon industrial futures. The findings contribute to advancing both academic discourse and practical frameworks by reframing carbon’s role through a scientifically rigorous, engineering-informed lens.
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    Open Access
    Navigating the miry clay: Engaging a 3 by 5 auxiliary gear system
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd, 2025) Adeoye, B. W.
    This inaugural lecture, delivered by Professor Babatunde Wasiu Adeoye, explores Nigeria’s persistent economic stagnation, metaphorically described as a "miry clay economy." Drawing from biblical allusion and mechanical engineering, the lecture introduces the "3 by 5 auxiliary gear system" as a holistic, interdisciplinary framework to rescue Nigeria from economic quagmire. The miry clay economy is characterized by low growth, high inflation, mounting debt, corruption, and over-reliance on a single sector. Professor Adeoye critiques the ineffectiveness of imported neo-liberal economic models and advocates for a homegrown, heterodox approach tailored to Nigeria’s unique context. The "3 by 5" philosophy calls for collaboration among government, private sector, and civil society, integrating five key areas: economics, science and technology, social sciences, environmental sciences, and governance. The lecture underscores the need for fiscal discipline, monetary reform, institutional strengthening, economic diversification, and investment in human capital. Through empirical analysis, sectoral comparisons, and policy recommendations, the lecture provides a roadmap for transitioning Nigeria from stagnation to sustainable, inclusive growth, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated reforms and the rejection of one-size-fits-all external prescriptions
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    Open Access
    Caught in the Web: Rebuilding the Cradle
    (University of Lagos Press Bookshop Ltd., 2025-03-05) Nwanna, C.R
    The plight of Vulnerable Children and Marginalized Populations Entagle in failing systems of Justice, care and protection in Nigeria. Drawing on Decades of Resarch, Teaching, and Advocacy in the field of Social Work and Child Justice. It Presents a Compelling Critique of the structural and Inatitutonal Failures that Leave children Caught in the Web, Trapped in Cycles of Neglect, Abuse, Wrongful Detention, and Systemic Invisibility. The Lecture Explore how Legislative gaps, poor Implementation of the Child Rights acts, Inadequate Rehabilitation Infrastructure, and Untrained Personal have Contributed to the Erosion of the Cradle. The foundational Systems meant to Nurture, Protect, and Rehabilitate young live.
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    Open Access
    A Restorative Dentist with a Flair for Public Health: Putting Beautiful Smiles on People's Faces
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd, 2024-10-23) Umesi, D. C.
    It presents a comprehensive narrative of a professional journey as a Restorative Dentist with a notable inclination toward Public Health. Spanning four decades of academic and clinical engagement, the lecture highlights her dual expertise in restorative dental practices and community-based oral health advocacy. It explores the history and evolution of restorative dentistry, its sub-specialties—including prosthodontics, conservative dentistry, endodontics, and cosmetic dentistry—and their relevance in managing oral health, aesthetics, and function. Drawing from several epidemiological studies across Nigerian adolescent populations, Professor Umesi evaluates trends in dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral hygiene practices, malocclusion, and enamel defects. Her research demonstrates critical gaps in public oral health awareness and access to restorative services, especially in underprivileged populations. Notably, her advocacy efforts have influenced public health policy and industrial practices, such as the local production of paediatric fluoride toothpastes. It concludes by emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative clinical solutions, and the need for increased training in implantology. The body of work underscores the impact of restorative dentistry not only on individual smiles but also on national oral health outcomes.
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    Open Access
    From Microscopic, Through Wonderful to Majestic: Musings of a Marin Phycologist.
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd., 2024-10-09) Onyema, I. C.
    The intellectual journey and scientific contributions of Professor Ikenna Charles Onyema in the field of marine phycology. Beginning with a personal narrative of early curiosity and academic hurdles, the lecture transitions into a detailed exposition of the importance of algae and phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems. It explores their taxonomy, ecological roles, and potential applications in biotechnology, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation. Drawing from decades of field research in Nigerian coastal waters, lagoons, and creeks, Professor Onyema discusses the biodiversity and physicochemical dynamics influencing phytoplankton distribution and productivity. Case studies from Lagos Lagoon, Ijora Creek, and other water bodies provide insight into human impacts, pollution, and the ecological significance of algal communities. The lecture underscores the critical role of phytoplankton in oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and sustaining marine food webs, advocating for their protection and further study as a foundation for sustainable aquatic resource management. Through a blend of scientific rigor and personal reflection, this work emphasizes the majestic complexity of the marine world as seen through the lens of a devoted phycologist.