The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has identified collaboration and teamwork as necessary tools for effective service delivery.

Ogunsola, who stated this at the close of events marking the 2023 International Customer Service week, tasked staff members to foster a culture of teamwork, where every individual would feel valued and empowered to make a difference.

The event, themed: “Customer service week: Team service 2023,” was organised by the Quality Assurance and Servicom unit of the institution.

Ogunsola noted that going beyond the expectations and creating lasting relationships built on trust and satisfaction would go a long way in delivering quality team service.

“Let us commit ourselves to fostering a culture of teamwork, where every individual feels valued and empowered to make a difference.

“Together, we can create a customer-centric organisation that stands out from the competition and builds long-lasting relationships with our customers,” Ogunsola stated.

The vice chancellor noted that the theme for this year’s event further highlighted the significance of collaboration and teamwork in delivering outstanding customer experiences.

She added that it also aligned with the vision and agenda of the university, to prepare it as a future-ready institution, driven by team spirit, to deliver quality team service for an improved citadel of learning.

She said: “Customer service is not just a department within a company, it is a mindset that should permeate throughout every level and function of this learning citadel.

“It was basically put together to inform the university community and other stakeholders that customers deserve to be served right, as they are the reason for the existence of the institution.

“Therefore, as we celebrate the 2023 international customer service week, let us reflect on the power of collaboration and recognise the contribution of each team member in delivering outstanding customer experiences.

In his welcome address, Director, Quality Assurance and Servicom of the university Prof. Femi Saibu, said customer satisfaction is one of the institutional goals and core values being pursued.

He said the university considered students as its major and most important customers.

“It is gratifying to note that milestones of servicom office since its establishment, include students’ complaints resolution, sensitisation through physical/radio jingle, assesses the conduct of lectures and examinations through the use of online instruments – google form, as well as the invigilation, prompt marking, submission of results and malpractice, among others.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, described this year‘s theme as apt, adding that it was critical in achieving excellence in any organisation.

Jamoh, who was represented by Head, Internal Audit of the agency, Mrs Olamide Osunsanya, also lauded the university for its efforts in ensuring that its customers were satisfied at all times.

He described the university as a partner in progress, while commending it for efforts it had always made in advancing knowledge of marine services.

He said: “UNILAG has always been a trail blazer and we are proud to be associated with it over the years. The agency is committed to the enthronement of global best practices. Whatever we do, the customer remains the king.”