VCN, NVMA laud UNILORIN for upholding excellence in veterinary training… as varsity produces 33 new vet doctors

VCN, NVMA laud UNILORIN for upholding excellence in veterinary training
… as varsity produces 33 new vet doctors
By Tajudeen Babamale and Isaac Lewu
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) have commended the University of Ilorin for her firm commitment to excellence in veterinary education and for producing professionals who continue to make remarkable impacts within and outside the country as the University produces a new set of 33 new Veterinary doctors.
The two bodies gave the commendation last Monday (October 6, 2025), when their leaders visited the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin ahead of their participation at the 7th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for the 2024/2025 graduating class of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Prof. Mathew Adamu, represented by the Vice President, Prof. Halima Idrissa Gambo, applauded the quality of veterinary doctors produced by the University, describing them as a reflection of effective institutional support and academic dedication. He urged the University management to sustain its backing for the Faculty in order to further strengthen professional standards and growth in the field.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Moses Arokoyo, praised the University for maintaining a legacy of academic excellence and discipline. He used the occasion to extol two distinguished scholars of the institution, Prof. S. F. Ambali and Prof. S. O. Salami, who, he said, played instrumental roles in shaping his career and those of many others.
While describing the University as a hub of great minds and international scholars whose dedication to mentorship and research continues to enrich the profession, the President of NVMA said the University of Ilorin stands tall among institutions offering veterinary education in Nigeria.
He added that quality abounds in Unilorin, and expressed satisfaction that the institution continues to produce professionals who are contributing meaningfully to national development.
Welcoming the visiting team to the University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to the University’s vision of academic excellence and societal impact. He stated that, although the Faculty is relatively young, it has achieved impressive milestones within its short period of existence.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, the Vice Chancellor said the Faculty’s achievements are evident in the quality of its graduates and staff, noting that it has produced personalities who have served as Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and members of the University Council within few years of its establishment.
Prof. Egbewole, who commended the academic and professional competence of the teaching staff of the Faculty, added that the consistent positive reports about the Faculty reassured the management that students are receiving sound training from capable hands.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasised that the quality of teaching and mentorship in the Faculty is reflected in the outstanding performance of its students and alumni, who are making waves nationally and internationally.
He expressed optimism that the Veterinary Council of Nigeria would consider increasing the University’s admission quota to enable more students to benefit from the Faculty’s excellent training environment.
Addressing the graduands, Prof. Egbewole congratulated them on the successful completion of their training at the University as he encouraged them to nurture their skills, build on their knowledge and contribute positively to the nation’s agricultural and health development.
He reminded them that the University expects its alumni to support its continuous growth through collaboration, donations, and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructural facilities and academic rankings.
Prof. Egbewole expressed appreciation to the President and members of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria for their continued efforts in regulating and standardising veterinary practice in the country. He noted that the University was delighted by the Council’s commendation of the quality of its graduates, describing it as a testament to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and global relevance.
In his address, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Prof. Saliu A. Ameen, charged the new veterinary doctors to uphold the virtues of compassion, integrity, and service to humanity as they embark on their professional journey.
The Dean described the occasion as a defining moment of transition from learning to service, urging the graduands to see their calling as one that safeguards not just animal health but the nation’s food security and public wellbeing.
Prof. Ameen noted that the veterinary profession occupies a strategic place in national development, contributing immensely to public health, agricultural productivity, and biomedical advancement.
He lauded the unwavering support of the University management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, whose commitment, he said, has kept the Faculty’s programmes nationally and internationally competitive.
The Guest Speaker, Dr Bala Mohammed, a specialist in small animal orthopedic surgery from the College of Veterinary Surgery, Nigeria, spoke on the significance of the One-Health approach.
Drawing from his experience, which included the performance of nearly 200 surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgeries, Dr Mohammed emphasised the need for collaboration across medical disciplines, noting that animal and human health are deeply intertwined.
He reflected on his professional journey, recalling how his late mentor pushed him beyond conventional veterinary boundaries, exposing him to plastic surgery techniques and interdisciplinary learning at Shika.
Dr Mohammed further stressed that, with about 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originating from animals, the world must embrace integrated health systems.
Citing global examples such as mass dog vaccination campaigns in Asia and improved pasture management in the Sahel, he underscored how veterinary expertise continues to shape public health outcomes.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to Dr Faith Seun Ajani, who emerged best graduating student and received a cash prize of ₦300,000. She also bagged 10 different other awards, while Dr Karimot Abisola Babalola followed closely with five awards.
In attendance were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) Prof. Mukhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; the Bursar Mr Abiodun Lawal; and the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. S. F. Ambali, among others.