The UNILAGSenate, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, celebrated two distinguished members of the University, Professor Ogorchukwu Augustine Isimoya and Professor Sunday Aremu Omilabu, as they bow out of university service.
The retirement date of Professor Isimoya of the Faculty of Management Sciences is August 10, 2026, while that of Professor Omilabu of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is August 19, 2026.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated the duo for their illustrious service in various capacities to the University and to Nigeria.
In their separate responses, the retiring professors expressed gratitude to the University Senate for the honour. They also thanked the UNILAGcommunity for providing the platform for career fulfilment, contributions to knowledge, and the grooming of future leaders.
Below are the citations of the two illustrious academics:
Professor Ogorchukwu Augustine Isimoya was born on August 10, 1956, in Evbuobanosa, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. He began his primary education in Evbuobanosa, but his early academic journey was interrupted by the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970.
Undeterred and without access to elite secondary schools, he embraced self-study. He sat for and excelled in the West African School Certificate Examination, and also passed three Advanced Level papers. On the strength of this outstanding performance, he gained admission to the UNILAGto study Business Administration. After his first degree, he proceeded to the University of Benin for his Master鈥檚 degree.
Following a distinguished stint in industry, Professor Isimoya joined the services of the UNILAGin 1995. Through diligence and scholarship, he earned his Ph.D in 2018 and attained the rank of Professor in 2025.
Professor Isimoya is an exceptional mentor who has supervised numerous Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 degree projects. Administratively, he served as Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences from 2004 to 2006.
A renowned scholar and pillar in the field of Insurance in Nigeria, Professor Isimoya published Fundamentals of Insurance three years into his academic career in 1998. This was followed by Risk Management and Insurance Applications in 2000, Principles and Practice of Insurance in 2005, Nigerian Business Environment: An Introduction in 2005, and Marketing of Financial Services: The Selling Skills, Volume 1 in 2009. His most recent work, Entrepreneurship Modules, was published by TETFund in 2025.
Professor Isimoya is also a distinguished practitioner in the insurance industry. He has served on several key committees, including the Governing Board of the College of Insurance and Financial Management.
Professor Sunday Aremu Omilabu was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, to the family of Pa and Mrs. R. O. Omilabu. He had his primary education at African Church and All Saints鈥� Primary Schools in Ipetu-Ijesha and Oshogbo, and later attended Adekile Goodwill Grammar School, Ibadan.
A distinguished scholar and trailblazer in Medical Virology, Professor Omilabu obtained his B.Sc from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and his M.Sc and Ph.D from the University of Ibadan. He is a Fellow of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.
He joined the services of the College of Medicine, UNILAG(CMUL) in 1991, and rose through to become Professor of Medical Virology in 2003. He served meritoriously as the Pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and is currently the Director of the Central Research Laboratory and Lead Investigator of the Virology Research Unit, CMUL.
Professor Omilabu is the architect behind the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology, CHAZVY (now Nigeria鈥檚 National Reference Laboratory for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers). This world-class facility was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) as a Reference Laboratory for Ebola and other VHFs. His swift confirmation of Nigeria鈥檚 index cases of Ebola in 2014 and COVID-19 in 2020 provided the foundation for the nation鈥檚 rapid and globally acclaimed response to both outbreaks.
With over 120 scientific publications, and having mentored 20 Ph.D and 50 Master鈥檚 graduates, his life鈥檚 work embodies the creed: 鈥淩esearch for the betterment of mankind.鈥�
Professor Omilabu is married and blessed with four children.
