By Henry Oladele and Oghuvwu Marcel
A university lecturer, Prof. Peter Ademilekun, has called on academics to renew their commitment to research, innovation, and environmental sustainability.
Ademilekun, Head of Botany Department, University of Lagos(Unilag), made the call while speaking at a programme to mark the department’s 60th anniversary in Lagos on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is, “Botany @ 60: The Impact, Challenge and Future”.
Ademilekun said that the celebration marked six decades of excellence, innovation, and resilience in plant science and environmental studies.
He said the department had played a leading role in advancing plant science, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
The lecturer attributed the department’s success to dedication to quality research, collaboration, and capacity development for both staff and students.
“The Department of Botany has produced distinguished graduates and scholars who have made significant contributions to academia, government, and industry,” he said.
Adeonipekun expressed appreciation to past HODs, lecturers, and students for their dedication and resilience.
He added that the department remained committed to research that addresses global challenges, such as climate change, food insecurity, and sustainable resource management.
Also speaking , Dean, Faculty of Life Science, Prof. Ganiyu Oyetibo ,expressed pride in the department’s transformation from “a modest beginning in 1965 into a centre of excellence recognised nationally and internationally”.
He said that botany remained vital to addressing global challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable development.
“I pledge continued support for research funding, collaboration, and innovation at the faculty level to ensure the department remained at the forefront of scientific discovery,”he said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, commended the department for preserving its legacy, describing the 60th anniversary as both a milestone and a call to action for the next generation of scientists.
He stressed the need to integrate traditional botanical knowledge with modern technology, particularly in biotechnology and genetic research, to ensure sustainable use of plant resources.
He urged younger scholars to see Botany not just as the study of plants, but as a pathway to solving global challenges in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management.
A former vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, also commended the department for maintaining academic and research excellence over the years.
Ogundipe, a botanist, reflected on his personal experience in the department, noting that its research culture shaped his scientific and administrative career.
He encouraged the department to pursue more interdisciplinary projects and attract external research funding through innovative proposals, while also mentoring young scientists to sustain the discipline’s relevance.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, said that plant science remained central to national development.
Fashola, who delivered a speech titled ‘Botany The Cradle of Crop Creation, Opportunities and Challenges- The Rice Value Chain’, commended the department for its contribution to environmental sustainability.
He highlighted the state’s efforts in rice production, citing the Imota Rice Mill and large-scale rice farms in Badagry and Epe as key investments toward self-sufficiency and job creation.
Fashola urged universities to strengthen collaboration with government in agricultural innovation and policy development, stressing that food security was national security.
A former lecturer of the university, Prof. Saida Mabadeje, expressed joy at witnessing the department’s 60th anniversary, describing it as a moment of pride and gratitude.
Mapadeje reflected on her years of service and mentorship within the department, noting that many of his colleagues and students had contributed greatly to its enduring legacy.
“May the botany department continue to grow, progress, and remain a pillar of excellence in UNILAG,” she said.
Mapadeje commended the current leadership for sustaining the department’s vision and urged staff and students to uphold its values of scholarship, innovation, and integrity. (NAN)
Edited by Buhari Bolaji
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