Oloyede’s JAMB performance has projected UNILORIN’s values globally— Akanni
By Abubakar Abdulquadri
A Professor of Journalism and Development Communication at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Akintunde Musbau Akanni, has affirmed that the contributions of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede, have projected the institutional values of the University of Ilorin to the world.
Prof. Akanni made this assertion penultimate Saturday (September 5, 2026) during the maiden Alumni Lecture Series of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association held virtually.
The Lecture, which focused on the theme, “Stimulating the Alumni to the Culture of Endowment,” provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of alumni contributions to the sustainable development of universities.
According to him, Prof. Oloyede’s remarkable achievements and reforms at JAMB had not only transformed the admission process in Nigeria it had also demonstrated the quality of leadership and institutional values associated with the University of Ilorin.
Prof. Akanni noted that Prof. Emeritus Oloyede’s performance at JAMB had become a significant representation of the values, discipline, integrity, innovation and commitment to excellence for which the University of Ilorin is known.
The don also highlighted Prof. Emeritus Oloyede’s pioneering role in the development of the University of Ilorin, particularly through initiatives associated with the institution’s KU8+ vision and his contributions to improving infrastructure and student welfare.
Prof. Akanni stressed the importance of alumni engagement and endowment as sustainable means of supporting universities, noting that endowments could provide long-term financial support for academic excellence, scholarships, student welfare, research and other institutional priorities.
He explained that a strong culture of endowment would enable alumni to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and development of their alma mater rather than leaving the responsibility of funding university development entirely to the government.
He, therefore, urged graduates of the University to emulate distinguished alumni and former university leaders by supporting the institution through various forms of giving an endowment.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association, Prof. AbdulRazaq Olubusuyi Kilani, had emphasised the importance of alumni participation in the development of the University.
Prof. Kilani noted that the Association remained committed to supporting projects that would have lasting benefits on students and the University.
He disclosed that plans were underway for the foundation-laying of an Alumni Male Hostel named after Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede.
The initiative, according to him, represents part of the efforts of the Association to contribute to the infrastructural development of the University and provide better accommodation facilities for students.
Present at the event included the Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji; the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. A. A. Adeoye; Prof. Shehu Adaramaja; Dr Barakat Raji of the Faculty of Law; Prof. Adam Sirajudeen of the Federal University of Lafia; Prof. Rachael Bello of Lagos State University (LASU); and Mr Hakeem Bello of the Federal Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Abuja, among others.
