By Mustafa Abubakar
A former student of the Department of Food Engineering, University of Ilorin, Mubarak Ayobami Omonayajo, has rekindled the brilliance status of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology as he emerged the winner of the 2024 UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology (Nsukka) Undergraduate Award.
With the award, typically applied for in the final year and often announced after graduation, Mubarak has etched his name in the Department’s growing legacy of excellence, following a trail of remarkable academic strides set by his predecessors.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin last Friday (May 30, 2025), the Head of the Department of Food Engineering, Dr Sanusi Mayowa Saheed, said, “This remarkable achievement rekindles memories of a groundbreaking moment in 2021, when Alasi Sodiq Oladimeji, from the same Department, became the first Food Engineering alumnus to earn the coveted award in the undergraduate category.”
Dr Sanusi added that “three years later, Mubarak picks up the baton, reinforcing the University of Ilorin’s position as a cradle of scientific ingenuity and biotechnological innovation.”
He said that their shared success is not just a personal triumph, but a testament to the transformative power of Food Engineering and a proud reflection of a Department that continues to inspire, shape, and empower the next generation of change makers.
He said, “As Head of Department, I am immensely proud of this milestone. Mubarak’s success is a shining reminder to all our students that with passion, persistence, and purpose, they too can rise to global recognition from right here at the University of Ilorin.”
In his own remarks, Mubarak expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, attributing his success to consistent mentorship, faith, and the resilient academic culture at UNILORIN.
“It’s a humbling moment for me. Winning this award is not just a personal achievement, but a win for my Department, my Faculty, and for the future of Food Engineering in Nigeria”, he said.
He dedicated the award to young engineers across Africa, encouraging them to stay curious, keep learning, and embrace innovation in solving real-world problems.
“I hope this recognition opens more doors for Nigerian students in biotechnology and encourages greater investment in research and innovation”, Mubarak added.
The UNESCO award recognises outstanding undergraduate contributions to biotechnology and sustainable development in Africa.
Mubarak’s research focused on bio-based preservation technologies for post-harvest food stability, which the award committee described as “innovative, scalable, and impactful for food security.”
