UNILORIN gets 13 new professors
…Egbewole tasks them on mentorship, inaugural lectures
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Governing Council of the University of Ilorin has approved the promotion of 13 academic staff members of the University to the professorial rank.
The promotion was one of the major highlights of the Council’s meeting held between Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The newly promoted professors are Dr Mary O. Ologe, Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Dr Oluwabunmi I. N. Buhari, Professor of Behavioural Sciences; Dr Hafsat A. Ameen, Professor of Epidemiology and Community Health; and Dr A. Saidu, Professor of Arts Education.
Others are Dr Aminat A. Odebode and Dr Falilat A. Okesina, both Professors of Counsellor Education; Dr A. T. Muritala, Dr A. A. Lawal, Dr A. A. Atolagbe, Dr O. J. Ojo and Dr A. A. Tijani, all Professors of Educational Management.
The list also includes Dr M. A. Akanmu, Professor of Science Education, and Dr S. T. Abdullahi, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged the newly promoted professors to live up to the responsibilities of their new status and contribute meaningfully to the development of the University and society.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge last Friday, (October 2, 2026), during a meeting with the newly promoted professors in his office.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the meeting was part of the University’s tradition of receiving newly promoted Professors following their elevation by the Governing Council.
He said that the occasion was intended to draw their attention to the responsibilities that came with their new status and encourage them to make greater contributions to the academic mission of the University.
Prof. Egbewole urged the new professors to take mentorship seriously by nurturing younger academics in their respective Departments and Faculties and helping to ensure continuity in knowledge, scholarship and academic leadership.
He also encouraged them to continually recreate and renew themselves through research and intellectual engagement, noting that academic specialisations could become extinct if scholars fail to develop existing knowledge and transmit it to succeeding generations.
The Vice Chancellor explained that attaining professorship should not be regarded as the end of an academic journey, but as the beginning of greater responsibilities and accomplishments.
He, therefore, urged the newly promoted professors to see their elevation as an opportunity to do more for the University and society, particularly by ensuring that their scholarship translates into meaningful contributions to societal development.
Prof. Egbewole further challenged them to demonstrate the value of their academic achievements through impactful research, mentorship and other scholarly activities that are capable of advancing knowledge and addressing societal challenges.
He particularly charged the new professors to deliver their inaugural lectures within the next 12 months, describing the lecture as an important avenue for professors to present their scholarship and communicate the body of knowledge that earned them their elevation.
While wishing them success in their academic and professional endeavours, the Vice Chancellor urged the newly promoted professors to approach their new status with a strong sense of responsibility and remain committed to the growth and development of the University.
