At a colourful ceremony on Thursday, March 6, 2025, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) formally unveiled the newly constructed building for the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development, and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS).
The significant event, which took place at the pent area of the new building situated along the University Medical Centre Road, marked a major milestone in the institution’s pursuit of advancing herbal medicine research and capacity building in Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to the growth of herbal medicine and its regulation.
Her words: “ …Today is a day of thanksgiving. As such, we are not just opening a building today; we are opening a new chapter in the development of herbal medicine in Africa.”
Professor Ogunsola described that the Centre as a representation of the collective ambition of UNILAG to strengthen postgraduate training and applied research in drug discovery, which is pivotal to Africa’s sustainable development.
She lauded the new ACEDHARS building as a stunning architectural marvel and pointed out the strategic location of the building as “exemplifying what we, as a University, can achieve when we work together toward a common goal.”