As part of efforts to strengthen emergency response mechanisms, enhance campus safety, and improve service delivery, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, presented emergency hotlines and registered SIM cards to key strategic units of the University.

The presentation, which took place at the 11th Floor Office of the Vice-Chancellor, brought together heads of critical operational units whose mandates are central to the safety, health, and overall welfare of members of the University community.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Quality Assurance and SERVICOM (QAS), UNILAG, Professor Olufemi Saibu, underscored the importance of expanding opportunities for stakeholder engagement, particularly in the area of emergency preparedness and response.

Professor Saibu emphasized that the provision of emergency hotlines and communication gadgets would significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Medical Centre, Safeguarding Centre, Security Unit, Student Affairs Division, Counselling Unit, and Fire Service Unit, among others.

Describing the initiative as UNILAG Rapid Response Lines (UNILAG Hotlines), he noted that effective communication remains a cornerstone of institutional efficiency. According to him, the deployment of the hotlines would enable faster coordination, real-time response, and improved service delivery during critical and emergency situations, thereby strengthening the University’s emergency management framework.

The QAS Director expressed deep appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for her proactive leadership, foresight, commitment to innovation, and consistent efforts to improve safety, comfort, and overall campus experience for all stakeholders.

He also acknowledged the earlier provision of tricycles to select units and described them as practical interventions that have significantly enhanced mobility and operational efficiency across the University.

In response, Professor Ogunsola commended the Heads of Units for their dedication and unwavering commitment to service. She explained that the initiative was driven by the need to institutionalize prompt emergency response systems, strengthen internal communication channels, and safeguard lives and property within the University.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that a modern and responsive university must prioritize safety, health, and welfare, adding that emergencies demand swift action, seamless coordination, and reliable communication infrastructure. According to her, the provision of emergency hotlines and registered SIM cards represents a deliberate and strategic step towards ensuring that no distress call goes unanswered and that response time across all units is significantly reduced.

Professor Ogunsola reiterated that the initiative aligns with the University’s broader commitment to service excellence, safety, and continuous institutional improvement. She stressed that the welfare of students, staff, and visitors remains a top priority of her administration.

Reacting to the gesture, several Heads of Units expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and highlighted the importance of sustained investment in safety and health infrastructure.

The Acting Director of the Safeguarding Centre, Dr. Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi, described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that enhanced communication would improve surveillance, coordination, and emergency intervention. She also advocated the establishment of clear referral pathways to ensure seamless inter-unit collaboration during emergencies.

Similarly, the Coordinator of Security Unit, Mr. David Omotosho, and the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Jimoh Wasiu Oriyomi, commended the Vice-Chancellor for her responsiveness to the operational challenges confronting their respective units.

The event also provided a platform for shared appreciations and perspectives from units that had earlier benefitted from the provision of tricycles. Beneficiaries, including the Security Units at the Idi-Araba and Akoka campuses, as well as the Fire Service Unit acknowledged that the mobility support has significantly enhanced their ability to manage work schedules, patrol duties, and emergency interventions more efficiently.