The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has commissioned a new Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Learning Hub as part of efforts to strengthen research, practical learning and manpower development in emerging areas of biological sciences.

The facility, situated at the Faculty of Life Sciences, was donated by the university’s immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Prof. Bolanle Oboh.

Speaking at the commissioning, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, encouraged members of the university community to take proactive steps towards addressing societal challenges instead of waiting for external assistance.

Ogunsola said the new hub underscores the value of initiating projects despite uncertainty over their eventual outcomes. She stressed that progress would remain difficult if people stayed inactive while waiting for help.

According to her, the university had resolved to position itself as a solution provider, with the faculty and students capable of contributing meaningfully to the resolution of societal challenges.

The vice-chancellor also recognised that achieving the university’s objectives would require support beyond the institution, highlighting the need for partnerships with individuals and organisations both within Nigeria and internationally.

She further appealed to members of the university community to support the institution’s development, noting that contributions of varying sizes could collectively have a significant impact.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Ganiu Oyetibo, explained that the hub was established in response to the increasing role of computational analysis in contemporary biological research.

Oyetibo pointed to developments such as genome sequencing, which have resulted in the production of vast quantities of biological data. He said such data must be adequately analysed and interpreted before it can generate meaningful scientific knowledge.

He identified the shortage of professionals with expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology in Nigeria as a major gap that the new facility was designed to help address.

The dean urged researchers and students to take full advantage of the opportunities available through the hub, particularly in advancing research and fostering collaboration.

Prof. Oboh, who provided the donation for the facility, discussed the process that led to its establishment and highlighted the need to strengthen computational capacity within the biological sciences.

She also emphasised the value of collaboration and the development of a strong network through which students and researchers could gain access to the expertise and resources needed to advance their workK

Source: Nigeria Communications Week