In its unwavering commitment to building a future-ready workforce, the Staff Training and Development Unit (ST&DU) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has held a 2-day capacity-building workshop for laboratory technologists across the University.
The training, which took place from Wednesday, July 16 to Thursday, July 17, 2025; at the Faculty of Science, focused on enhancing the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of laboratory results delivery, especially in an era increasingly defined by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.
The workshop began with an Opening Ceremony which was attended key officers of the University including the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. M. Uwakwe who represented the Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe; Dr. Odunlade who represented the University Librarian, Professor Christopher Okiki; Professor Osunkalor Vincent, Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences; and Dr. Roseline Aderemi Williams, Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, among others.
Director of the Central Research Laboratory, Professor Lukman Adams, who declared the workshop open on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), Professor Bolanle Oboh, underscored the critical role of laboratory output in the global ranking and relevance of universities.
He emphasized that, “in today’s knowledge economy, technology is the heartbeat of research,” adding that, “the laboratory is the engine room of academic excellence, and UNILAG cannot afford to compromise on standards or performance.”
Professor Adams further stressed the importance of equipping technologists with up-to-date knowledge on international best practices and safety protocols, given the hazardous nature of laboratory work.
His words, “This training is designed to expose participants not only to safe laboratory practices but also to innovative thinking and efficiency-enhancing strategies that are globally competitive.”
One of the key highlights of the training was a technical session on Artificial Intelligence in Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), facilitated by the Director of the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) Information Technology Hub (NITHub), UNILAG, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa.
The renowned expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and laboratory informatics explained that LIMS which is a suite of software solutions used to manage lab samples, workflows, and data analysis, has revolutionised the process, speed and precision of scientific investigations.
According to him, AI has significantly reduced turnaround time for laboratory assignments, from what used to take weeks to mere hours or days, thereby enhancing the productivity of modern scientific work. “But on no account should the human element be removed from the process,” he added.
Dr. Odumuyiwa further cautioned that against over-reliance on automation and advised that “Artificial Intelligence is a powerful enabler, but it is not infallible. Human oversight remains critical because AI can, and does, make mistakes. It is essential to combine AI’s speed with human judgment for the best outcomes.”
In her remarks, the Director of ST&DU, Mrs. Aderonke Asiwaju, expressed appreciation to the facilitators, participants, and University Management for supporting the initiative. While pointing out her personal experience in terms of the transformational benefits of AI, Mrs. Asiwaju and encouraged participants to embrace its responsible use to enhance efficiency, critical thinking, and innovation in laboratory science.
With the theme: Fostering Proficiency in the Laboratory: Safety, Quality And Innovation, the 2-day capacity-building workshop featured insightful presentations on several topics including:
- Artificial Intelligence In Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa (Director, NITHUB-UNILAG)
- Laboratory Waste Management & Equipment Maintenance by Engr. Sylvester Anyahara (CEO, EMSTER CORROSION Engineers)
- Laboratory Manual Design & Implementation by Prof. Luqman Adams (Director, Central Research Laboratory, UNILAG)
- Laboratory Safety and Risk Management by Prof. Johnson Agunsoye (Director, Central Industrial Liaison and Placement Unit, CILPU/Dept. of Met. & Mats. Engineering, UNILAG)
- Quality control and Assurance in Laboratory Practice by Dr. Peter Oluwafisoye (Ag. Director General, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT)
- Time Management and Productivity by Prof. Olufemi Saibu (Director, Quality Assurance and SERVICOM, UNILAG)
Report: Akinola Afolabi
Photography: Samuel Dosumu
