In a strategic move to align its processes with global academic standards and enhance objectivity, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management engaged academic staff in robust dialogue on the review of the institution’s decade-old appraisal system.
The discussions held at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during a Town Hall meeting hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS. The forum provided academic staff from all faculties an opportunity to review proposed modifications to the assessment framework and offer feedback ahead of implementation.
Addressing the assembly, Professor Ogunsola explained that the meeting followed a Senate resolution mandating the Appointments and Promotions Committee (APC) to review the current framework. She noted that the appraisal system, which had remained unchanged for the past decade, was adjudged no longer at par with global academic standards.
“One of the reasons we called this meeting is to hear from you,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. “The new appraisal system will prevent the weaponization of promotion against junior colleagues and reduce the margin of error that subjectivity allowed in the old system.”
Professor Ogunsola added that the previous system inadvertently disadvantaged hardworking staff while failing to adequately recognize merit. “Publication, peer review, and promotion are at the heart of what we do as academics. Promotion has to be earned,” she asserted, emphasizing that “academia is never insular” and UNILAG must continue to compete effectively with global peers.
Faculty Feedback and Data Presentation
Providing a breakdown of faculty feedback, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Matthew Ilori, presented the report of the Visitation Panel on the Publication Assesment System.
According to Professor Ilori, a substantial majority of academic staff across faculties support the new scoring system. Specifically, over 60% of faculties supported its implementation within the current session, while approximately 40% favored delaying commencement until the next academic session.
The presentation was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which academic staff raised concerns ranging from the timing of the assessment transition to the overall promotion timeline.
Enhancing Digital Footprint and Global Visibility
In tandem with the appraisal reforms, the University Librarian, Professor Christopher Okiki, addressed measures to boost the institution’s digital footprint. He announced the University’s commitment to increasing awareness among academic staff on publication visibility.
Professor Okiki urged academics to consistently upload their works to the UNILAG Repository, noting that the platform is fully synced with Google to maximize global search optimization and citation rankings. He also encouraged lecturers to advise the research students they supervise to cite relevant works published by their supervisors in their theses.
Path Forward and Postponement
Concluding the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Ogunsola responded to feedback on the transition timeline by announcing a major concession.
Acknowledging requests from faculties for more preparation time, she disclosed that the new assessment system would not take effect this year but would be postponed to the next academic session. The announcement was received with applause by the academic staff.
Furthermore, while reiterating the importance of the UNILAG Repository, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that the University is exploring frameworks to incentivize academics who publish in prestigious Q1 journals.
With a clear roadmap established and an extended timeline for transition, the Town Hall concluded on a collaborative note, aligning the community toward enhanced global academic excellence.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
Photographs: Joshua Michael Ogooluwa
