UNILORIN VC Urges Graduands to Tackle Nigeria’s Challenges, Announces N150m Student Grants
By Felix Ajide
ILORIN – The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, has urged graduands of the institution to deploy their knowledge, creativity and integrity to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Egbewole gave the charge on Wednesday at the university’s 41st Convocation Ceremony in Ilorin, saying the country needed capable, innovative and compassionate graduates to tackle unemployment, insecurity, inadequate healthcare, food insecurity and moral decline.
He urged the graduands not to join the growing number of Nigerians who merely complain about the country’s challenges but to become agents of positive change in their communities.
“Our nation faces serious challenges, including unemployment, insecurity, inadequate healthcare, food insecurity and moral decline.
“These challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. They demand capable, creative, ethical and compassionate people who are prepared to turn knowledge into solutions,” he said.
The vice-chancellor advised the graduands to create value, whether as employees or employers, and ensure that their presence made a positive difference wherever they found themselves.
He described their degrees as products of three major investments: parental investment, institutional investment and self-investment.
According to him, parents and guardians have sacrificed their resources, comfort and personal ambitions to secure a better future for their children and wards.
He therefore urged the graduates to honour those sacrifices by supporting their parents when they became financially capable and making them proud through their conduct and achievements.
Egbewole also reminded the graduands that they would serve as ambassadors of the university, stressing that their professional competence, personal integrity and conduct would influence public perception of the institution.
He said the university had invested its reputation, facilities, resources and integrity in training them, adding that they must not allow such investment to go to waste.
“Your certificate is not the end of your journey. It is the beginning of a greater responsibility. The world is waiting for you, and Nigeria needs you,” he said.
Highlighting some of the institution’s recent achievements, Egbewole disclosed that three undergraduates secured a combined grant of N150 million under the Federal Government Students Venture Grant (FG-SVG) competition.
He identified the beneficiaries as Abdullahi Usman Babatunde and Abdulrazaq Abdulrasaq Alatare, both of the Department of Information Technology, and Shehu Abdulrahman Mogoban of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.
Each of the students received N50 million to support separate project proposals.
The vice-chancellor said the achievement demonstrated the capacity of UNILORIN students to develop innovative ideas and translate them into practical solutions capable of generating economic and social value.
He also announced that Oluwagbemiga Ojobaro, a 600-level student of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, won the 2025 World Veterinary Association (WVA)/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship on March 9, 2026.
According to him, the competition attracted more than 1,000 veterinary students from across the world, while the scholarship carries a cash award of 5,000 dollars.
Egbewole further disclosed that another 600-level student of the faculty, Ogundipe Olamide Grace, received a summer studentship grant of 2,950 pounds from Applied Microbiology International (AMI), United Kingdom.
He said the international recognitions affirmed the ability of the university’s students to compete successfully on the global stage.
The vice-chancellor also highlighted the innovative contributions of six undergraduates of the Department of Telecommunications, who donated weather-forecasting equipment valued at approximately N500,000 to UNILORIN 89.3 FM Radio Station on July 27, 2026.
He said the equipment, a Quadrifilar Helix Antenna system, was expected to improve the station’s capacity to provide timely, accurate and consistent weather information to listeners.
The students were identified as Idowu Peter Diovine, Solomon Sunday Oluwasomidotun, Akira Mercy, Ishola Odunayo Mary, Bello Abdulwadud and Anuwa Ezekiel Olanrewaju.
Egbewole described the gesture as an example of the university’s commitment to practical learning, innovation and service to society.
He added that the Department of Microbiology had received scientific equipment valued at 59,846.02 euros, approximately N100 million, for the XSTAR Project Nigeria.
The consignment, he said, included a Luminex MAGPIX system, an ultrasonic bath, microplate shakers and other advanced scientific instruments.
According to him, the equipment will strengthen the university’s research capacity and create opportunities for scientific investigation, innovation and collaboration.
“These achievements are not isolated successes. They reflect our continuing commitment to investing in people, research, innovation and infrastructure,” he said.
The vice-chancellor noted that the university’s investments in infrastructure and research were ultimately aimed at developing generations of students, scholars and professionals who would contribute meaningfully to national and international development.
He reaffirmed that the institution’s core values remained rooted in adding value and contributing meaningfully to national and international development.
Egbewole congratulated the graduands, their parents and guardians, as well as members of staff, on the successful completion of the academic journey.
He urged the graduates to remain grateful to their parents, uphold the values acquired at the university and acknowledge God’s role in bringing them to the milestone.
“We have given you knowledge. We have encouraged you to embrace character. We have entrusted you with the discipline and values for which UNILORIN is known.
“Now, go out into the world and provide solutions,” he said.
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