CAI hosts capacity building workshop for affiliated institutions
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Centre for Affiliated Institutions (CAI), University of Ilorin, has organised a three-day Capacity Building and Training Workshop for staff and representatives of the University’s affiliated institutions to strengthen quality assurance, academic standards and institutional administration across its expanding network of affiliate institutions.
The workshop, held from last Monday (June 29, 2026) to Wednesday (July 1, 2026), at the Auditorium Basement, brought together administrators, academics, examination officers and other stakeholders from affiliated colleges across the country.
Delivering the keynote address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Olukunmi Lanre Olaitan, described continuous capacity building as indispensable to sustaining excellence in tertiary education.
The Dean observed that the changing higher education landscape demands innovation, adaptability and lifelong learning from academic and administrative personnel.
Prof. Olaitan urged institutions to prioritise quality assurance as a culture by investing in staff development, curriculum innovation, effective leadership and technology-driven teaching and learning.
According to him, these measures would improve institutional effectiveness, enhance learning outcomes and produce graduates capable of meeting global standards.
In his own presentation, titled “Quality Assurance in Examination Moderation: Expectations from Internal Examiners in Affiliated Colleges,” Prof. Ayodele Fajonyomi of the Department of Adult and Primary Education, described examination moderation as a critical quality assurance tool for maintaining academic integrity.
He explained that effective moderation promotes fairness, consistency and credibility in assessment processes while eliminating ambiguities in examination questions and marking schemes.
He encouraged affiliated institutions to strengthen internal moderation processes, adopt standardised assessment procedures and continuously build the capacity of staff involved in examinations.
Also speaking, Dr Khalid Ishola Bello of the Department of Religions, Kwara State University, Malete, who made a presentation on “Quality Assurance in Examination Questions, Marking Guides and Scoring Systems,” stressed that quality examination questions should be clear, comprehensive, curriculum-based and capable of assessing different levels of learning.
He added that transparent marking guides, objective scoring systems and accurate recording of scores are essential for fairness, accountability and credibility in students’ assessment.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Affiliated Institutions, Prof. Yahya Oyewole Imam, explained that the Workshop was organised in response to the positive feedback received after the maiden edition, with participants requesting that it becomes an annual capacity-building programme.
Prof. Imam disclosed that the number of the affiliated institutions of the University had increased from 17 to 21 within the past year, while additional academic programmes had also been approved for some existing affiliates.
He urged institutions to safeguard their affiliation status by complying with academic and regulatory requirements, particularly those relating to quality assurance, resource verification and programme administration.
The Director also commended the facilitators, organisers and participating institutions for their commitment to the success of the workshop and reaffirmed the Centre’s resolve to sustain regular capacity-building initiatives.
Highlights of the workshop included keynote presentations, technical sessions and interactive engagements that enhanced institutional governance, improved academic delivery and promoted best practices in higher education administration. The workshop also strengthened collaboration among the affiliated institutions while reinforcing the University’s commitment to promoting academic excellence through continuous capacity development.
