Network while in school to rise after graduation, Etudaiye urges students
By Mubarak Oladosu
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, has advised students of the University to make the best of their days on campus by networking with their fellow students across levels and faculties.
Prof. Etudaiye gave this advice penultimate Wednesday (April 15, 2026) while speaking at a Career Workshop for freshers and final year students of the Faculty of Management Science held at the Faculty Lecture Theatre.
The legal luminary noted that the seeds of the most important career breakthroughs are often planted as University students, adding that soft skills like the ability to socialise cannot be underestimated.
In his address, the Director of the Career Services Unit of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Kajogbola Rasaq Ajao, described the workshop as a strategic intervention aimed at preparing the students for life beyond the University.
He noted that the University is committed to producing graduates who are innovative, adaptable, and globally competitive, which informs the investment by the University in the workshop and other programmes.
Prof. Ajao urged the students to note that there is increasing global competition and they could become successful graduates through the ability to think critically and plan strategically for their careers.
He told the students that ” in a rapidly evolving world, securing job opportunities after graduation is no longer defined by the certificates you earned alone, but by your clarity of purpose, adaptability to new realities, and strategic planning “.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Dr Abdullahi Ganiyu Olatunji of the Department of Sociology, in his presentation, entitled “From Where You Begin to Where You Excel: Building a Relevant Career for a Changing World”, described a career as a long term journey of learning, working and continuous growth, which he said, is more than a job’’.
He urged the students to discover themselves by distinguishing between what they excel at, what they love to do and what the world needs that they could offer to earn a living.
Speaking further, the don enjoined the participants to pursue their goals while avoiding procrastination by taking action, managing their time well and by remaining disciplined. He added that by the University creativity, improvement of existing system and ability to adapt would keep them relevant at work even as time and technology evolve.
The Chairman of the Workshop Local Organising Committee, Dr Oyebola Mukhtar-Etudaiye, appreciated the Deputy Vice Chancellor and members of her Committee for ensuring the success of the Career Workshop.
Other participants at the event included the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. T.A. Olaniyi; the Faculty Officer, Mr M.O. Oyinloye, and other members of the Organising Committee namely, Dr O. A. Aliu, Dr. O.J. Omolekan, Dr J. I. Yahya, Dr A. A. Olowo, Dr A.Y. Umar and Mr W. O. Ibrahim along with scores of the invited students.
