Works Dept holds workshop on project management
By Isaac Lewu
The Works Department of the University of Ilorin has organised a workshop on Project Execution, Monitoring, Evaluation and Risk Management. The programme was aimed at strengthening staff capacity for effective management and delivery of infrastructure projects.
The workshop, held last Thursday, (September 3, 2026), at the Auditorium Basement, was facilitated by the Director of Works, Engr. R. K. A. Amao, MNSE, in collaboration with Engr. Peter Jolayemi, CEO, Lukegbenle Jolayemi Nig. Ltd., and Alh. Ibrahim Jimoh of Rahi Nig. Ltd., as co-workshop partners.
The training focused on practical approaches to ensuring that University projects are properly executed, monitored, evaluated and managed against potential risks.
The training also examined the growing infrastructure demands confronting universities in Africa, with particular attention to the need for sustainable and strategic approaches to infrastructure development in the face of increasing student enrolment and limited resources.
In his presentation, Mr Amao highlighted the infrastructure challenges facing Nigerian universities, including rapid enrolment expansion, ageing infrastructure and the widening gap between infrastructure needs and available funding.
According to Mr Amao, the funding gap requires universities to explore available interventions and financing mechanisms, include support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), internally generated funds and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
The Director noted that the situation had made strategic leadership in infrastructure management increasingly important, particularly in determining how universities could deliver more projects with available resources without compromising quality.
The presentation further placed the University of Ilorin within the context of a rapidly expanding institution, noting that the University has more than 60,000 students, 16 Faculties, over 200 buildings and approximately 15,000 square hectares of land.
The workshop equally explored strategic leadership issues associated with project delivery, with emphasis on the need for proper planning, coordination and accountability throughout the project life cycle.
Another major area of focus was the establishment of effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, which the facilitator identified as essential for tracking project progress, assessing outcomes and ensuring that projects achieve their intended objectives.
Participants were also exposed to the importance of risk management in university infrastructure development, particularly the identification of potential challenges and the adoption of appropriate mitigation strategies before such risks affect project delivery.
The workshop featured a case study of the University’s experience and considered challenges and mitigation strategies, while also examining recommended actions and strategic imperatives for improving project execution and infrastructure management.
Present at the event were the Director, Physical Planning Unit (PPU),Mr Abdulrahman Toyin Jimoh, who was represented by Mr Abdulraheem B. Tajudeen; and the Head of the University Estate Unit, Dr Bolakale Sahid Baba, DDW and Head, Estate Unit, among others.
