NUC applauds UNILORIN’s prosthetics innovation
By Tajudeen Babamale
An Accreditation Team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Ilorin, has commended the University on its remarkable contributions to community development, particularly its innovation in prosthetics and commitment to translating academic research into practical solutions to societal challenges.
Speaking last Friday (November 6, 2026) during its exit visit to the Vice Chancellor following the completion of the 2026 accreditation exercise, the team leader, Prof. Ephraim Nwoye, described the University’s prosthetics initiative as an outstanding achievement. He noted that its impact extended beyond academic recognition to transforming the lives of people living with physical disabilities.
The Professor of Biomedical Engineering explained that providing prosthetic limbs to individuals who previously depended on crutches and other mobility aids was a significant scientific and therapeutic intervention capable of restoring mobility, independence and dignity.
Prof. Nwoye particularly commended the Department’s successful development, 3D printing and fitting of prosthetic limbs for beneficiaries, an achievement which, he noted, had attracted national and international attention and brought considerable recognition to the University. He urged the Institution to sustain the initiative through increased financial investment and improved infrastructure.
The Accreditation Team also acknowledged the availability of online academic resources and the University’s impressive internet infrastructure. It, therefore, advised the University to intensify awareness campaigns, orientation programmes and practical training to ensure that students maximised these resources for learning and research.
Prof. Nwoye further commended the University for securing approximately ₦10 million in TETFund support for library resources for a one-year period, describing the intervention as commendable and worthy of emulation by other universities.
He encouraged the University to sustain its investment in library resources by providing access to recent academic publications and expanding subscriptions to relevant electronic journals and research databases.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, commended the Accreditation Team for its constructive observations, recommendations and commendations, describing the exercise as a partnership aimed at strengthening academic programmes and enhancing the University’s capacity to serve its stakeholders.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, Prof. Egbewole assured the team that the University would carefully review its observations and address the identified areas requiring improvement, particularly in staffing, facilities, infrastructure and the provision of adequate examination spaces.
Prof. Egbewole disclosed that the University was exploring innovative approaches to strengthening the Department, including leveraging the expertise of its alumni in the diaspora to contribute to its academic development through teaching, knowledge exchange and skills transfer.
While appreciating the Accreditation Team for its professionalism, valuable recommendations and commitment to improving the quality of academic programmes, the Vice Chancellor expressed optimism that the next accreditation exercise would reflect considerable progress in addressing the concerns raised by the team.
