UNILORIN’s Rise to Global Recognition: A Story of Prof. Egbewole’s Leadership and Collective Achievements By Idris Alooma

 

By Idris Alooma

Inside the University’s hallowed auditorium at the press conference that preceded the 41st Convocation of the University of Ilorin, when journalists asked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, about the secret behind the torrent of commendations, accolades and praises pouring in from all quarters, the erudite law scholar did not claim personal glory. In a hall charged with an air of celebration, Egbewole chose humility over hubris, declaring that success has many fathers.

As the Yoruba say, _Ọwọ́ kan ò gbé ẹrù dé orí_ — one hand cannot lift a load onto the head. Among the dignitaries that attended the epoch-making press conference were institutions that are members of KU8+ — Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji, pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, now heading the African School of Economics, Abuja, and Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh, Vice-Chancellor of Muhammad Kamaludeen University, Ilorin — the KU8+ that Prof. Egbewole described as a way of having academic shared prosperity, _Àjọjẹ kò dùn bí ẹnikẹ́ni kò bá ní, ìgbà tí a bá jọ ni a ń ṣe àjọjẹ_.

Summarising his message, Egbewole said the secret behind the commendations from government agencies, parastatals, groups and prominent individuals praising UNILORIN and his administration is the combined effort of teaching and non-teaching staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders in raising the Ivory Tower. He therefore urged staff and students to sustain the good work as the only pathway to fully realising Vision 1:10:500, which has begun in earnest, while appreciating all well-wishers and charging every staff member, student and graduate to remain good ambassadors by sustaining the best practices UNILORIN is known for.

That spirit of collective labour is now bearing fruit for all to see. The most weighty commendations have come from the core government agencies that regulate and fund tertiary education — the true gatekeepers of standards. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, commended UNILORIN for effective utilisation of intervention funds without abandoned projects and ranked it the 4th best-performing university nationally. The National Universities Commission, NUC, through NURAC, celebrated its dominance in subject rankings. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has repeatedly honoured UNILORIN with the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award for strict compliance, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, commended its seamless, transparent handling of the student loan scheme with high enrolment.

Following closely are the national service and integrity institutions that attest to character and accountability. The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, formally commended UNILORIN for academic excellence and high moral standards. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, applauded its transparency during the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has found in UNILORIN a willing ally in the anti-graft war and routinely uses the campus for youth sensitisation. Indeed, a clean hand needs no washing.

International validation has sealed this local trust. Global ranking platforms have given UNILORIN a passport of excellence. SCImago Institutions Rankings rated UNILORIN number one in Nigeria for Aquatic Science. U.S. News & World Report placed it 5th among Nigerian universities in its Best Global Universities ranking, while Times Higher Education, THE, placed it joint 4th in Nigeria. Little drops of water make a mighty ocean, and these global feathers are the result of years of consistent drilling.

Professional institutes and credible media houses have added professional affirmation. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, awarded UNILORIN the Best Corporate Share of Voice and Best Social Media User. New Telegraph Newspaper conferred the Most Outstanding University Award for its stable calendar and preference by admission seekers. YOMAFA Global Awards this year again honoured two distinguished Unilorites — Dr Ruth Abiola Adimula and Mr Idris Alooma — for excellence in academics and broadcasting. Good wine needs no bush — the world sees excellence even when it whispers.

Corporate and international academic partners have put their money and partnership where their mouth is. Sunbeth Global Concept applauded the University’s output and unveiled a N16 million annual awards scheme for best-graduating scholars. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University, praised UNILORIN’s readiness to deploy digital pedagogy and global best practices. When you do well, good partners will come — success attracts success.

Behind these institutional voices are the community groups and eminent personalities who feel the University’s pulse daily. The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, IEDPU, under its President, Alhaji Abdulmumin Ayo Abdulmalik, praised the University for winning Best in Research Quality in Nigeria. The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, lauded its quiet excellence and peaceful host-community relations. Senator Saliu Mustapha, Kwara Central, praised leadership transparency while supporting infrastructure. The Student Union and COBES students frequently commend management for seamless examinations, quality health services and practical field support. A tree does not make a forest, but the UNILORIN forest is thriving because every tree is standing tall.

Kudos to the image-making unit of the University of Ilorin, Directorate of Corporate Affairs, headed by Chief Kunle Akogun, for having a cream of experienced journalists who are doing great work in promoting, projecting and propagating the Better by Far University.

Responding to these ovations, Egbewole urged all not to rest on their oars, because it is only through collective discipline that Vision 1:10:500 — to be Nigeria’s number one, Africa’s top ten and among the world’s top 500 — can be fully realised. The journey has begun and, as the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day, but every brick counts. He charged all to remain good ambassadors, for charity begins at home and a good name is better than gold.

He appreciates those appreciating the University and assured that UNILORIN will continue to uphold the best practices it is known for. In his words, the Better by Far University will not lower the bar. The reward for hard work is more work. And as our elders say, _Ẹni tí ó bá dá aṣọ rere, á rí ẹni tí yóò yìn ín_ — he who makes a fine cloth will always find those who praise it. Egbewole has woven a fine cloth of stability, integrity and excellence, and the world cannot but applaud.

 

 **Idris Alooma is currently the General Manager, UNILORIN FM Radio Station and Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin.

 

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