Three (3) Lecturers of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been announced as the first recipients of the Sahara Making a Difference (MAD) Grant.
The lecturers were announced as recipients of the grant at the 55th Convocation Ceremonies of the University held from Tuesday, January 13 to Thursday, January 17, 2025. The grant includes a total of $36,000 annually ($12,000 per beneficiary), with well-established protocol for outcome-based management by UNILAG.
The three lecturers are:
- Dr. Gbeminiyi Sobamowo, an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. He currently works in the field of Energy Systems Modelling, Simulations and Design, and his Hezer Research Group comprising lecturers and students have developed various innovative energy solutions, many of which have already received uptake.
- Dr. Ayodele Ibrahim Shittu, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, current Team Lead of the Office of Career Development Services (OCDS) and former Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC). Dr. Shittu specializes in Development Economics with a focus on the Economics of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In a bid to promote innovation in student research projects, he structured a programme of support for student research which produced two winners of the 2024 Grooming Grant for exceptional project writing in the field of Entrepreneurship Economics and Rural Financing.
- Dr. Peter Nogichukwuka Amah, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Finance, and Acting Director, UNILAG Simulation and Training Centre. He is a mentor of The Investment Society (TIS), a flagship student-led initiative of the University which has seen over 80 members intern and gain employment at the Bank of America/Merill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. Its members have also constituted UNILAG student-teams that have consistently won various prestigious international competitions including the CFA Ethics Competition and Equity Research Competition.
The Sahara MAD Grant was instituted in 2023 by Sahara Group (one of Nigeria’s leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate) to support the work of proven student-supportive lecturers.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf of Senate, staff and students of the University, congratulates Dr. Gbeminiyi Sobamowo, Dr. Ayodele Ibrahim Shittu and Dr. Peter Nogichukwuka Amah for winning this Grant.
