By Abubakar Abdulquadri and Bashir Dawodu
The Director of the Centre for International Education, University of Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibrahim, has called on both staff and students to support the University policies and programmes designed to enhance its internationalisation.
Prof. Onireti made this call last Tuesday (September 2, 2025) during a courtesy visit to the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS).
The Director emphasised that a university without internationalisation policies or programmes cannot be considered a true university as he said that the Centre for International Education serves as a gateway for students and scholars to engage with the global community.
He explained that the Centre facilitates student and staff exchange programmes, student and staff mobility, joint publications and research and international conferences.
Prof. Onireti said that the Centre is envisioned to make every University of Ilorin student an international scholar. He highlighted various opportunities available to students to achieve this goal.
Responding, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, noted that the Faculty was not unaware of international education opportunities but appreciated the additional insights gained from the visit.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director, Centre for International Education, Dr Samuel Bolaji Oladimeji, urged lecturers, particularly those from the CIS, to take advantage of available international conferences and programmes facilitated by the Centre.
Dr Oladimeji also appealed to Faculties across the University to support the Centre in recruiting more international students, stressing that such efforts would contribute to the growth and global standing of the University.
In her remarks, a visiting Professor at the CIE, Prof. Bola Simeon Fayomi, highlighted the importance of the Centre in expanding global opportunities for students and staff of the institution.
Prof. Fayomi noted that the Centre plays a critical role in visa processing, handling of international passports, immigration procedures, and facilitating other cross-border academic engagements.
She revealed that CIE is working on the Erasmus project and seeking more collaborations with foreign universities to enhance academic mobility. According to her, the initiative would enable students and lecturers to study and conduct research abroad while also strengthening staff capacity.
“We are interested in making our staff more visible internationally. I encourage everyone across all faculties to build their capacity, and I assure students that they will not regret choosing the Centre. There are many opportunities and courses waiting for you,” Prof. Fayomi said.
