LASUED Holds 3rd Inaugural Lecture, Calls for Collective Action to Safeguard Nigeria’s Adolescents

The Lagos State University of Education, on Wednesday 20th May, 2026, hosted its third inaugural lecture at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Oto/Ijanikin Main Campus.

The lecture, titled “Stormy Seas of Adolescence: Stakeholder Contract in the Advancement of Normalcy,” was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of LASUED, Professor Morufu Adedayo Daodu of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Guidance and Counseling, College of Specialized and Professional Education (COSPED).

This event marked a significant milestone in the university’s history, being the first inaugural lecture held in the College of Specialized and Professional Education, as well as in the Department of Guidance and Counseling.

In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, presented the citation of the inaugural lecturer, describing him as an accomplished scholar, administrator, counselor, mentor, servant of God, distinguished psychologist, and educationist whose academic journey demonstrates resilience, perseverance, and determination.

According to Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye, the inaugural lecturer began his academic journey at the institution’s legacy college before advancing through the ranks to become a lecturer and later a professor. She noted that he earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education degrees in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Lagos before pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Ibadan.

She further stated that Prof. Daodu was appointed Professor of Guidance and Counseling in July 2025 and currently serves as the substantive Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the lecturer for demonstrating visionary leadership through innovative ideas and strategic measures aimed at enhancing academic standards, institutional effectiveness, and operational efficiency within the university.

Concluding the citation, Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye described Prof. Daodu as a respected voice among youths across different states in Nigeria.

Delivering the lecture, Prof. Daodu reflected on his personal academic journey, emphasizing his passion for Guidance and Counseling as a chosen profession.

He described adolescence, covering ages 10 to 19, as a fragile yet critical developmental stage involving biological maturation, psychological growth, emotional adjustment, social transitions, and identity formation.

“Adolescents are not simply children becoming adults. They are navigating stormy developmental seas, and whether they survive those seas depends largely on who is steering alongside them,” he stated.

The professor also highlighted his research contributions, noting a significant gap in the literature concerning adolescents’ career development, which he said has often been overshadowed by studies on sexuality, drug abuse, and risky behaviors. He called for greater scholarly and policy focus on career guidance, occupational information seeking, and career planning for adolescents.

Using a powerful metaphor to conclude his lecture, Prof. Daodu described adolescence as a bridge between childhood and adulthood, emphasizing that “the bridge must not collapse.”

He challenged stakeholders including families, schools, government agencies, communities, mental health professionals, religious organizations, technology experts, and policymakers to assume deliberate and strategic responsibility for the nation’s adolescents.

“The future of Nigeria depends on the adolescents of today. If we abandon the bridge, we abandon the nation,” he said.

The inaugural lecture was attended by members of the university management, academic staff, students, and guests.