After investing in a major plantation project through which they planted a total of 70,383 seedlings of Teak (tectona grandis) on 57 hectares of land in 2008, and embarking on other plantation projects like Jatropha, citrus and others, the authorities of the University of Ilorin  have begun another far-reaching agricultural venture, which is the planting of  date palms.

Palm trees are unique plants whose trunks have no secondary growth into branches.  There are some 120 varieties of palm in Africa, some 130 species in Madagascar, some 950 species in the tropical part of the Americas while 1,400 species are found in tropical Asia. Date palms are extensively grown in hot dry regions and they are the economic mainstay of many countries in North Africa, Iran and in Arabia.

Before the current venture in which several thousands of palms are being planted in newly cleared areas on campus, the University of Ilorin had in 2008, as part of its landscaping project, planted some varieties of palms.  Then, the University planted among others, 659 Royal Palms, 600 Golden Palms and 600 Queen Palms. The University also planted several hundreds of Masquerade Tree, Umbrella Tree, Thuja and Whistling Pine as part of its response to environmental conservation and efforts towards combating the effects of climate change.

While appraising the current exercise with Unilorin Bulletin recently, the Dean of Agriculture, Prof. O.A. Omotesho, disclosed that the size of the palm plantation is 28 hectares and the plantation may grow to be industrially processed in future.  The Dean clarified that the date palm plantation is not grown mainly for economic reasons. The project, among others, as Oloyede, Ayorinde and Oladele (2009) in their “Greening the Campus Environment: The University of Ilorin Experience” say, is for the “conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity” of the University as a world class citadel of learning and to sustain what they authors call “environmental friendliness”.

According to the former Chairman of ASUU and Professor of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, the date palm, Jatropha, teak, citrus plantations and other plantations agricultural efforts embarked on by the current University management are long term projects the full import of which will only be determined in future.   He added that apart from other purposes, the palm plantation will add to the beauty and general aesthetics of the University campus and make the campus a typical paradise.

Prof. Omotesho commended the University management for their genuine patriotism by investing in long term projects which will start yielding benefits after their tenure. As far as Prof. Omotesho is concerned, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, is an agriculturist at heart and that is why he gives attention to nature, environment and agricultural projects. He also remarked that the leaders of the University are laying a good example for all leaders given that the current propensity in Nigeria is for people to invest in ventures that will attract accolades to the investors while they are still in office.

Prof. Omotesho also disclosed that students benefit immensely from the projects saying that many students of the Faculty of Agriculture and other faculties are now employed on the plantations under the Work/Study Programme of the University. He added that as the University will soon begin its forestry programme, having applied to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to that effect, the plantations will serve a further purpose of being a platform for field experience and practical workshop for students.