The Faculty of Life Sciences was established following the restructuring of the former Faculty of Science. At its 152nd meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025, the Governing Council approved the division of the erstwhile Faculty of Science into two distinct faculties: the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Today, the Faculty of Life Sciences stands as one of the institution’s leading faculties, comprising five academic departments and hosting a student population of over four thousand. Professor J.A. Oso serves as the Pioneer Dean. He initially assumed office on 1st August 2025, prior to the structural split, and subsequently became the first appointed Dean of the newly formed Faculty.
Academic Departments
The Faculty consists of five distinct departments, each offering a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programme with a minimum duration of eight (8) semesters for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates:
- Department of Biochemistry
- Department of Microbiology
- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology
Philosophy
The Faculty of Life Sciences is deeply committed to delivering academic programmes that advance the institutional vision of a “Developmental University.” We continuously adapt to innovative, proven advancements in the global scientific landscape while fully complying with the regulatory frameworks and benchmarks set by the National Universities Commission (NUC). To foster a proactive, world-class teaching and learning environment driven by a highly disciplined and reputable academic faculty, we emphasize rigorous training in the basic and applied sciences. Our curriculum focuses on advanced scientific processes designed to solve the critical developmental needs of our immediate state and the nation at large.
Strategic Mandate, Objectives, and Mission
Mandate
The core mandate of the Faculty of Life Sciences is to conduct cutting-edge research and deliver exceptional teaching in the foundational branches of life sciences: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant Science and Biotechnology, Science Laboratory Technology, and Zoology and Environmental Biology.
Objectives
Beyond imparting foundational and applied scientific knowledge through teaching, research, and community extension services for sustainable development, the Faculty aims to:
- Build and sustain a rigorous undergraduate curriculum that empowers graduates to compete and excel globally.
- Offer a diverse yet specialized undergraduate experience focused on contemporary fields such as modern and molecular biology, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and biostatistics.
- Prioritize the continuous development of state-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities to support academic excellence.
Mission Statement
- To develop world-class undergraduate programmes that match the highest international standards of academic excellence.
- To expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge through rigorous research, driving its practical application toward societal development.
- To cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with institutions worldwide that share similar scientific goals and research interests.
- To contribute actively to local, grassroots, and national development by translating scientific theory into practical, impactful solutions.
- Faculty Administration and Governance
The administrative management and daily operations of the Faculty rely on the following statutory organs and committees:
- The Dean and Chairman of the Faculty Board: The chief academic and administrative officer responsible for the overall leadership of the Faculty.
- Faculty Board of Life Sciences: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), the Vice-Chancellor, all Professors within the Faculty, all Heads of Departments, the University Librarian, one Representative from each cognate Faculty, the Deputy Registrar (Academic), all academic staff from the rank of Assistant Lecturer and above, and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Board of Studies: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), the Vice-Chancellor, all Professors within the Faculty, all Heads of Departments, the University Librarian, one Representative from each of the other Faculties of the University, the Deputy Registrar (Academic), and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Management Committee: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), all Heads of Departments, the Chairman of the Postgraduate Studies Committee, the Sub-Dean, and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Postgraduate Committee: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), one academic Representative from each Department within the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Business Committee: Comprises the Sub-Dean (representing the Dean as Chairman), four elected academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer or their representative (Secretary).
- Faculty Academic Staff Review Committee: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), all Professors within the Faculty, all Heads of Departments, one Representative from each cognate Faculty, the Principal Assistant Registrar (Establishment – Academic), and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Non-Teaching Staff Review Committee: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), all Heads of Departments within the Faculty, one Representative from each cognate Faculty, the Deputy Registrar (Establishment – Non-Teaching), and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Admission Committee: Comprises the Dean (Chairman), all Heads of Departments, the Sub-Dean, and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee: Comprises the Dean’s Representative (Chairman), three appointed academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer (Secretary).
- Faculty Research Fund Committee: Comprises the Dean’s Representative (Chairman), two appointed academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer or their representative (Secretary).
- Faculty Handbook Review Committee: Comprises the Dean or their representative (Chairman), three appointed academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer or their representative (Secretary).
- Faculty Seminar Committee: Comprises the Dean’s Representative (Chairman), two appointed academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Faculty Officer or their representative (Secretary).
- Faculty Week Committee: Comprises the Dean’s Representative (Chairman), four appointed academic staff members from the Faculty, and the Sub-Dean.