Prof. Egbewole Charges 13,868 Graduates to Uphold UNILORIN’s Spirit of Excellence

 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has charged the 13,868 graduating students of the institution to imbibe the University’s spirit and distinctive style — to keep growing, keep improving, keep innovating, and keep contributing meaningfully to society.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony held on Wednesday at the University Auditorium, Ilorin, Professor Egbewole urged the graduates to ensure that the world recognises them through the University’s hallmark of distinction, purpose, and value addition.

He challenged them to look beyond fleeting fashion trends and embrace the enduring reality of substance and character — a style defined by intelligence and integrity, coordination and success, humility and resourcefulness, goal-oriented excellence, ethical conduct, and professional wisdom.

“The University of Ilorin expects you to be the embodiment of our values,” he said. “Let your style become part of your identity as you step into the wider world.”

Professor Egbewole noted that the University’s unmatched records in local and international competitions continue to reaffirm its tradition of excellence.

“Recently, our debate team emerged overall champions at the Campus Debate and Capacity Building Conference organised by the National Orientation Agency, winning a cash prize of ₦5 million,” he stated.

“These achievements are not just milestones; they represent the standard you are expected to uphold. In our style this year, we shall be commissioning several projects, including the Faculty of Social Sciences building; a block of four lecture halls for the Faculty of Social Sciences; the English Drama Studio in the Faculty of Arts; the renovated Department of Geography and Environmental Management Building; and the Technical Entrepreneurs Centre Road. The key is to continuously strive for excellence and improve upon our present condition,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor affirmed that the University has made “measurable and meaningful progress — modest in words, but significant in purpose and impact.”

 

 

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tahir Mamman, for the recent launch of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), which provides interest-free financial support to staff of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

He also lauded the Minister’s timely focus on curriculum reform aimed at promoting practical skills development, as reflected in the government’s renewed emphasis on technical and vocational education.

“Posterity will rightly judge the Honourable Minister for his manpower-enhancing initiatives and his efforts in ensuring peace and industrial harmony within the nation’s citadels of higher learning,” Aluko stated.

He further highlighted that the University of Ilorin has become increasingly visible globally, with three significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed in the past year and various recognitions earned through the achievements of its outstanding alumni across diverse disciplines.

“As the Governing Council of this great University, we remain committed to sustaining the enviable legacies of past councils,” he said. “At 50 years old, managing a population of over 50,000 students and a corps of erudite, high-quality staff is no small feat. This has only been possible through the dedication of a sound management team led by a creatively transformational leader.