HISTORY

The Department of Geography was one of the earliest departments established at the inception of the Faculty of Arts, Education, Engineering and Science in 1964.  Following on the pattern at the University of Ibadan (borrowed from the University of London), Geography was administratively domiciled in the Faculty of Arts but the department offered degree programmes in both Arts and Science Faculties i.e. B. A. in the Faculty of Arts and B. Sc. In the Faculty of Science.

Unfortunately, the crisis following a change of Vice-Chancellor in 1965 affected the department adversely.  Practically all the academic staff of the department left the University.  This called for urgent recruitment of qualified staff in order to ensure that the academic programmes of the students are not jeopardized.  Strenuous efforts were made to ensure that a new beginning was made by late summer of 1965 and academic activities resumed in October 1965.  According to Aderibigbe and Gbadamosi (eds.) [1987] in A History of the University [of Lagos] 1962, “Dr. R. A. Akinola who later became the Dean of Humanities had the able assistance of Dr. M. A. Abegunde, I. A. Adalemo (1985 – 1987] Deputy Vice-Chancellor) and E. J. Usoro in his efforts to produce a very good programme in Geography.  (N. O. Alao, later Professor of Geography and Dean of Arts was at that time away on a long training leave).  --- The immediate result was the production of more relevant and satisfactory B. A. combined Honours Programme in any two of ---- English, Geography and History.”

The Department grew steadily both in terms of staffing and course offerings and became recognized for its progressive treatment of the subject matter.  The academic staff complement which numbered 5 in 1965 grew to 12 in 1975 (a decade later)/and has now stabilized around that number after the voluntary retirement of a good number of the older staff members.

The department hosted the International Geographical Union Regional (Africa) Conference in 1978 and received accolades from the International Geography community.

In the early 1970s both staff and students were no longer satisfied with the location of Geography in the Faculty of Arts.  The students particularly agitated for the relocation of the department.  The agitation and request were thoroughly debated in various organs of the University.  The desire of the department was granted in 1986 when Geography moved to the Faculty of Environmental Design which was then renamed Faculty of Environmental Sciences.  in December 1997, the Department was moved to the Faculty of Social Sciences and tits named changed to Department of Geography. The Department of Geography has always maintained a high standard in the recruitment of staff.  The course offerings are improved upon from time to time as new developments are reflected in both old and new courses.  The undergraduate programme is quantitatively oriented without sacrificing the relevant humanistic concerns.  The department has earned recognition by the Postgraduate School as one of the most productive departments in the University. The unit course systems of the university of Lagos allows Geography students to go out to other departments in the university and take courses that are relevant to their areas of geographic interest and to develop greater capabilities in their prospective professions.