Inaugural Lecture Series

Permanent URI for this collection

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

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 276
  • Item
    Open Access
    "The Paediatric Dentist: Building Healthy Smiles from the Womb"
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025-09-10) Orenuga, O.O.
    This inaugural lecture, The Paediatric Dentist: Building Healthy Smiles from the Womb, delivered by Professor Omolola Olubunmi Orenuga at the University of Lagos, addresses the expanding scope of paediatric dentistry as both a clinical and public health discipline. The lecture underscores the central role of the paediatric dentist in safeguarding oral health beginning in utero, where maternal well-being, nutrition, and oral hygiene significantly influence foetal and infant outcomes. Professor Orenuga highlights evidence linking maternal oral infections with adverse perinatal conditions and childhood caries, thereby situating paediatric dentistry within the broader discourse on maternal and child health. The presentation further examines preventive strategies, including anticipatory guidance, early risk assessment, and culturally appropriate health promotion, emphasizing their long-term impact on reducing oral health inequalities. Drawing on both local and global perspectives, it illustrates how paediatric dentists function not only as clinicians but also as educators, researchers, and advocates for health equity. A strong call is made for multidisciplinary collaboration—between dentists, physicians, nurses, policymakers, and caregivers—to establish a continuum of care that bridges clinical practice with public health imperatives. This editorial notes that the lecture contributes significantly to contemporary debates on oral health policy, equity, and sustainability in healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. By framing oral health as a vital component of child development, Professor Orenuga advances an agenda that positions paediatric dentistry as indispensable to holistic health.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Parasites in the Life of Man
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025-09-03) Idowu, E.T.
    Parasites in the Life of Man (2025), Idowu, E.T. presents a compelling inaugural lecture at the University of Lagos that interrogates the persistent, complex, and often underestimated relationship between humans and parasitic organisms. Framed not only as biological entities but as enduring companions in the human journey, parasites are shown to influence health, culture, and knowledge production in profound ways. Idowu traces their imprint through history, from shaping the destinies of civilizations to defining contemporary struggles with diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and other neglected tropical infections. Particular emphasis is placed on sub-Saharan Africa, where parasites exploit socio-economic vulnerabilities, reinforcing cycles of poverty, ill health, and social inequity. Yet, the narrative is not one of despair alone; parasites are also presented as paradoxical catalysts of progress, spurring scientific breakthroughs, inspiring innovations in medicine, and stimulating interdisciplinary inquiry across biology, epidemiology, and public health. Idowu’s reflections highlight the dual role of parasites as both adversaries to human flourishing and teachers of resilience, offering insights into the adaptability of life and the interconnectedness of ecological systems. The lecture underscores the urgency of integrated responses that move beyond biomedical interventions to include social policy, education, and community engagement, advocating for a holistic paradigm that recognizes parasites as central to the broader human condition. With eloquence and critical depth, Idowu invites academics, practitioners, and policymakers to reconsider the meaning of parasitism, not only as a health challenge but also as a lens for understanding the ongoing dialogue between science, society, and survival.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Dancing On Shifting Carpets, Between Molecules And Device
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025-08-20) Osuntoki, A.A.
    This lecture explores the dynamic interplay between molecular behavior and technological devices, using the metaphor of "dancing on shifting carpets" to illustrate the constant state of flux and adaptation inherent in both natural and engineered systems. At the molecular level, entities such as proteins, DNA, and other biomolecules exhibit movements and interactions that are highly dynamic and crucial to biological function. These molecular motions—often described as complex dances—occur within environments that are anything but static, analogous to shifting carpets beneath their feet. The lecture further investigates how understanding these molecular dynamics informs the development and optimization of devices that operate at or interface with the molecular scale, such as biosensors, molecular machines, and nanotechnologies. Recent advances in molecular spectroscopy and imaging techniques provide unprecedented insights into these phenomena, enabling the visualization and manipulation of molecular interactions in real time. By bridging concepts from molecular biochemistry and device engineering, this discourse underscores the significance of adaptability and precision in designing systems that effectively harness molecular properties. The implications of this approach extend to bioengineering, medical diagnostics, and the creation of responsive materials. Ultimately, the metaphor of dancing on shifting carpets encapsulates the necessity of flexibility, resilience, and innovation in advancing the frontiers of molecular science and technology.
  • Item
    Open Access
    "Universities as Hubs For Development and Wealth Creation" (55th Convocation Ceremonies)
    (UNILAG Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025) Aduloju, O.D
    This lecture explores the critical role of universities as transformative institutions pivotal to national development and wealth creation. Dr. Oluwatayo David Aduloju emphasizes that universities are not merely centers of learning but dynamic hubs at the intersection of academia, business, and government, strategically positioned to influence socio-economic progress. Utilizing comparative insights from Nigeria and Indonesia, the lecture underscores how universities can catalyze economic and social transformation by generating fit-for-purpose human capital, producing innovative knowledge, and developing technology to address societal challenges. The convocation spirit, as described by Dr. Aduloju, embodies relevance, contextual awareness, catalytic energy, and visionary leadership necessary for intellectual and societal advancement. Further, the lecture highlights the evolutionary trajectory of the University of Lagos, affirming its commitment to fostering ideas and ideologies that promote national transformation. A call is made for realigning academia, industry, and government sectors to craft an education system that drives innovation and national progress. This tri-sector collaboration is depicted as essential for universities to fulfill their potential as engines of development and wealth creation. The message is reinforced by commentary from former Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, emphasizing the strategic importance of universities in shaping Nigeria’s developmental pathway. In conclusion, this lecture positions universities as vital catalysts for national transformation through their roles in innovation, expertise generation, and fostering strategic partnerships, aligning with broader developmental goals in Nigeria and beyond.
  • Item
    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.