KU8+ 3rd anniversary: Egbewole seeks sustained collaboration
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Chairman of the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State (KU8+) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has admonished both old and new members of the Consortium to sustain their commitment to collaboration in order to achieve collective growth.
Prof. Egbewole made the call last Saturday (January 24, 2026) during the 3rd anniversary celebration of the organisation, held at the Council Chamber of the University of Ilorin.
Among those that attended the occasion were vice chancellors of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh; Summit University, Offa, Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu; Ojaja University, Eyenkorin, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade (who joined virtually); Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Prof. Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo; Muhammad Kamalud-deen University, Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh; Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Prof. Medinat Folorunso Salman; University of Offa, Prof. Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade; Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo, Prof. Abdulrauf Ambali; and Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Prof. Muftau Adeniyi Ijaiya. Also in attendance was Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, former Vice Chancellor of Ahman Patigi University, Pategi, as well as Principal Officers of all KU8+ member universities.
Reflecting on the formation of the Consortium, Prof. Egbewole said KU8+ was conceived as a pioneering initiative in Nigeria to foster cooperation among universities, noting that the initiative has enjoyed national recognition, which has attracted collaboration from key stakeholders in the nation’s education sector.
According to him, the Consortium, which began with eight universities, has expanded into KU8+ with 13 member institutions, driven by the belief that collaboration, experience-sharing and mutual support are essential to institutional development.
Prof. Egbewole recalled that KU8+ has successfully organised three conferences since its inception, with the maiden edition held at the University of Ilorin in August 2023, the second at Al-Hikmah University in 2024 and the third at Kwara State University (KWASU) in 2025. He disclosed that plans are underway for the fourth conference to hold in August 2026 at Summit University, Offa, with expectations of a significant impact.
While highlighting the achievements of the Consortium, the Chairman said the KU8+ established an independent research team, distinct from directors of research in member universities to avoid conflicts of interest, adding that the team has produced ten concept notes aligned with the National Research Fund (NRF) scheme, with expectations that the full proposals will receive approval, while member institutions also benefitted from several Institution-Based Research (IBR) grants in 2025.
The UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, who is also the Vice-President (West Africa) of the Association of African Universities (AAU), however, described the 2026–2027 period as critical for the future of KU8+, particularly in managing leadership transitions within member institutions. He observed the importance of continuity, noting that past vice-chancellors remain integral to the sustainability of the Consortium even after leaving office.
In her address titled “Three Years of TEAM: Celebrating the KU8+ Journey of Excellence, Collaboration, and Transformation,” the Secretary-General of the Consortium, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, said that within three years the consortium had moved from concept to reality.
She recalled the founding of the initiative, saying, “We called it The Ilorin Declaration on the KU8. But distinguished colleagues, it was more than a declaration. It was an act of faith, a commitment to something larger than ourselves. It was a recognition that in a world where we can go to the moon but struggle to help our neighbors, we needed to do something different. And so we did”.
Prof. Oladipo, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, explained the operational philosophy shared by the Chairman of the Consortium, Prof. Egbewole, at its first meeting, which is Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM), noting that, this vision inspired the eight founding universities, despite their different histories, proprietors, and challenges, to believe they could collaborate and achieve more.
While noting the achievements of KU8+, the Secretary-General stated that the Consortium has been recognised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the first initiative of its kind in Nigeria and one worthy of emulation by other universities nationwide. She added that the Consortium has continued to draw attention to Kwara State through its programmes, attracting high-profile attendees such as the Sultan, the Honourable Minister of Justice, executive secretaries of federal agencies, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, and representatives from the United States Embassy.
On research and innovation, Prof. Oladipo revealed that member institutions have collaborated on joint grant proposals, with 11 KU8+ concept notes already accepted and currently being developed into full proposals for submission to the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF).
She stated that the “plus” in KU8+ is not just a symbol, but represents openness to growth, commitment to inclusivity, and a forward-looking vision. “Today, in the spirit of inclusivity, we welcome and recognise four more members: Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin; University of Offa, Offa; Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo; and Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin. We are expanding. We are becoming!” she said.
The Secretary-General of the KU8+ acknowledged ongoing challenges, including coordination across nine institutions with different academic calendars, the need to strengthen resource-sharing mechanisms, the inefficiency of communication systems, and joint programmes that exist more in vision than in practice. She, however, stressed that facing these challenges together makes them solvable.
