Ilorin, Kwara State — The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has, over the past five decades, evolved from modest beginnings into one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and stable universities, earning its place as a national treasure and emerging global brand.
Fondly known as the university that is “Better by Far,” Unilorin has continued to live up to its motto — a reflection of its enduring culture of excellence, innovation, and service to humanity.
Unilorin Achieves 100% NUC Accreditation Success
In a major academic milestone, the university recorded a 100 percent success rate in the October/November 2024 National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise.
Out of the 37 programmes presented for evaluation, 36 received full accreditation, while one earned interim accreditation — a testament to Unilorin’s uncompromising standards in teaching, research, and quality assurance.
Students Making Global Headlines
Unilorin students have also continued to raise the bar in academic excellence and innovation.
A 400-level Mathematics student, Sanusi Kazeem, broke the Guinness World Record for the longest mathematics lesson, after teaching continuously for 31 hours, 42 minutes, and 54 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 26 hours.
Equally impressive, 18-year-old Faith Olabisi, a student of the Department of Accounting, became one of Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountants after passing all stages of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examination.
In addition, Khafeelat Sadiq of Adult and Primary Education and Roseline Olarinde of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts secured the prestigious Erasmus Mobility Scholarship to study at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany — under the KA171 Agreement.
Growth and Global Recognition
Reflecting on the university’s evolution since its establishment in 1975, Mr. Kunle Akogun, Unilorin’s Director of Corporate Affairs, highlighted how the institution has expanded from just three faculties — Arts, Education, and Science — to 16 faculties, 108 departments, and over 50,000 students.
“Since the 2013/2014 academic session, Unilorin has remained the most sought-after university in Nigeria — thanks to its reputation for academic stability, quality graduates, and a serene learning environment,” Akogun said.
He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), for sustaining and expanding Unilorin’s legacy of excellence since assuming office in October 2022.
Under his leadership, Unilorin has deepened its international engagement through renewed participation in global academic networks, including the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) — where Egbewole now serves as Secretary-General — and the Association of African Universities (AAU), where he was elected Vice-President (West Africa) in 2025.
Research Excellence and Academic Visibility
Unilorin’s faculty continues to make waves in global academia through high-impact research and international citations.
Leading the list of the most-cited scholars on Google Scholar are:
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Dr. Ismail Odetokun (Veterinary Public Health & Preventive Medicine) – 11,826 citations
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Dr. Afis Basiru (Veterinary Physiology & Biochemistry) – 11,755 citations
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Prof. Olugbenga Odebode (Surgery) – 11,073 citations
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Prof. Kolawole Wahab (Medicine) – 6,379 citations
These figures underscore the university’s growing influence in global research, innovation, and academic visibility.
Massive Infrastructure and Funding Boost
For the 2025 fiscal year, Unilorin secured a ₦2.5 billion TETFund allocation, covering 11 critical development areas, including infrastructure, staff training, ICT, entrepreneurship, and career development.
The university also received:
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₦300 million Zonal Intervention Fund for key projects
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₦4 billion Special High Impact Project (SHIP) for upgrading the College of Health Sciences
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₦750 million grant for a new modern hostel within the college
The funds were officially presented by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on April 29, 2025.
Unilorin’s achievements were further recognized when it emerged runner-up at the JAMB 2025 National Tertiary Admission Performance Merit Award (NATAP-M), earning a ₦75 million cash prize.
Alumni and Private Sector Support
Unilorin’s strong alumni network continues to contribute meaningfully to its development.
Dr. Tunji Olowolafe sponsored 40 academic staff to international conferences (₦200 million), donated an Anatomage Machine worth ₦40 million, and a Hilux vehicle to the College of Health Sciences.
During the 2025 Award of Excellence and Investiture Ceremony, Unilorin alumni collectively donated ₦600 million to support new academic and infrastructure projects.
Sustaining the Vision
Prof. Egbewole reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Unilorin into Nigeria’s best university, one of Africa’s top 10, and among the world’s top 500 universities.
“We set our minds to the need for our university to press the reset button — for the sun to rise again,” he said.
Despite challenges such as funding constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, and the need to adapt to fast-changing educational technologies, Unilorin has remained resilient, innovative, and forward-looking.
The university’s story is one of unbroken academic stability, consistent excellence, and a relentless pursuit of greatness — an inspiring model for higher education in Nigeria and beyond.
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