By Mustafa Abubakar

The University of Ilorin has commended three of its lecturers and two final year students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Miss Halimah Opeyemi Idris and Miss Karimat Babalola, on winning the 2025 Morris Animal Foundation Scholarship Grant Award worth $5,500.00.

In a letter of commendation signed by the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, the University Management lauded Dr I. A. Odetokun, Dr O. A. Ahmed, and Dr O. B. Daodu of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology for their dedicated mentorship and guidance, which contributed to the feat.

According to the letter, ‘‘the recognition of the students reflects the excellence of teaching, mentoring, and research guidance in the Department, adding that the lecturers have remained a “guiding light to the students, the Faculty, and the University at large.”

The Registrar, in separate congratulatory messages, also hailed Miss Nahimah Opeyemi Idris and Miss Karimot A. Babalola, both of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, for their outstanding research proposals that won the international award.

Miss Idris’s proposal was titled “Molecular Characterization of S. aureus in Horses in Nigeria: Methicillin and Multidrug Resistance Profile”, while Miss Babalola’s work was on “Prevalence and Oncogenic Potential of Feline Leukemia Virus in Domestic Cats in Lagos and Kwara States of Nigeria.”

Mr Alfanla described their achievement as “a testament to their dedication to academic excellence and passion for advancing animal health and welfare,” He noted that the award would further inspire them to make meaningful contributions to Veterinary Science and humanity.

The Registrar added that both students “remain a pride to the University,” while expressing the hope that the recognition would mark the beginning of greater accomplishments in their academic and professional journeys.