By Bashirat Omotosho and Bashir Dawodu
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has commended the Career Services Unit of the University by repositioning themselves as strategic hubs for producing globally competitive graduates.
The commendation was made last Tuesday, (December 16, 2025) during the first capacity building workshop organised by the University’s Career Services Unit, themed “Strengthening University Career Centres for Global Employability: A Comprehensive Capacity Building Masterclass for Career Officers.”
Represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Rotimi Onasanya Arise, the Vice Chancellor, while declaring open the workshop, noted that effective career services are no longer optional but central to the University’s mandate of teaching, research and community service.
He stressed that in a rapidly changing global labour market, universities must equip students with relevant skills, guidance and exposure that extend beyond academic knowledge, adding that the workshop is in line with the Vision 1:10:500.
The Vice Chancellor charged Faculty Officers and Career Advisors to embrace innovation, global best practices and collaboration, adding that the University management would continue to support initiatives that enhance graduate employability and institutional reputation.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Career Services Unit, Prof. Kajogbola Rasaq Ajao, expressed appreciation to the University management and participants for their commitment to strengthening career services. He described the workshop as timely, noting that the demands of students, employers and the global workforce require career officers to constantly update their knowledge and skills.
Prof. Ajao advised participants to approach the masterclass with an open mind, urging them to “listen attentively, learn, unlearn and relearn” in order to remain effective in their roles.
According to him, the workshop was designed to provide practical insights that would empower Career Advisors and Faculty Officers to better support students in making informed career decisions.
He further noted that the Career Services Unit is committed to building a functional, responsive and globally aligned career centre that meets the needs of students and stakeholders. He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained from the workshop would translate into improved service delivery across faculties and departments of the University.
Delivering the keynote address, the Country Director of the Canadian Education Council, Dr Adeniyi John, provided an in-depth exposition on the foundations of career services in modern universities. He explained that effective career centres are built on clear structures, trained personnel and a strong understanding of student development and labour market dynamics.
Dr John emphasised the importance of career advising skills, noting that career officers must go beyond giving information to providing personalised guidance that aligns students’ interests, abilities and values with career opportunities. He stressed that empathy, active listening and ethical practice are essential competencies for career advisors.
Speaking on employability development, the keynote speaker highlighted the need for universities to intentionally embed employability skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and adaptability into academic and co-curricular activities. He noted that career centres play a critical role in bridging the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations.
Dr John also underscored the value of partnerships with industry, alumni and international organisations, describing collaboration as a key strategy for exposing students to real-world experiences. He encouraged career centres to leverage internships, mentorship programmes and employer engagement to enhance students’ career readiness.
On running a functional career centre, he explained that data-driven planning, continuous staff training and the use of digital tools are essential for effectiveness. He added that career centres must regularly assess their impact through feedback from students and employers to ensure continuous improvement.
In her closing remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Yidiat Aderinto appreciated the University management for their continued support for the Centre and urged participants to put the training into practice.
Present at the events were staff members of the Centre and Faculty Career Advisors, amongst others.
