Approach Mentorship Centre for guidance, Ayinla urges Unilorites
By Mubarak Oladosu
The Director of the University of Ilorin Mentoring Centre, Prof. Maryam Toyin Ayinla, has enjoined members of the University community with questions, challenges, or goals to approach the Centre for guidance and support.
Prof. Ayinla stated this last Monday (September 10, 2026) while chatting with UNILORIN Bulletin in her office.
She explained that the University established the Centre as a central coordinating unit for all mentoring activities across Faculties, Departments, and units.
According to her, this is in furtherance of the commitment of the University to use mentorship as a strategic mechanism for strengthening academic performance, professional development, leadership capacity, and personal growth among staff and students.
The Director stated that the mandate of the Centre is to provide structured academic and career development for improved performance, productivity, retention, and wellbeing.
She added that the Centre would also support staff retention and succession planning by systematically pairing early and mid-career staff with experienced mentors across both academic and non-teaching cadres.
Prof. Ayinla added that the Centre would enhance career readiness by bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements through guidance, skills training, and networking.
To achieve this, the don, who is a Professor of Human Physiology, disclosed that the Centre would translate the approved mentorship policy and handbook into measurable actions across the University.
The Centre, she noted, would also hold periodic orientation, training, and capacity-building programmes for members of Mentorship Committees, Departmental and Unit Mentoring Officers, mentors, and mentees.
The training, according to her, will focus on academic coaching, career guidance, and referral pathways, while outstanding mentors will be recognised annually.
She further revealed that an implementation circular, reporting calendar, and baseline data collection instruments would soon be issued to all Faculties, Departments, and Units. This, she said, is to ensure uniformity in the running of mentoring activities and timely submission of reports to enable early intervention where necessary.
In line with its commitment to data-driven planning, the Director stated that the Centre would digitise all baseline instruments and log mentoring sessions and mentee interactions as she added that the Centre would work with COMSIT for technical support towards the digital readiness of the Centre.
On collaboration, Prof. Ayinla noted that the Centre would work closely with Deans, Heads of Departments, and alumni to ensure effective delivery.
She said a campus-wide campaign would also be run with the slogan, “Your mentor is your first point of contact.”
She emphasised that the mentorship programme only complements supervision, academic advising, and counselling, and does not duplicate the roles of Heads of Departments, lecturers, and supervisors.
Prof. Ayinla further affirmed that the doors of the Centre are open to every member of the University community.
She explained that the primary focus is on undergraduate students, especially freshers who need guidance to settle in and finalists who need direction for life after school.
Postgraduate students, she said, would also receive support on research, thesis guidance, and academic writing.
Academic and non-teaching staff, particularly those in early career and middle cadre, will be supported on institutional culture navigation, career and professional development, and promotional tracks.
According to her, mentors and Departmental Mentoring Officers will receive training, resources, and support, while Faculties, Departments, and Units will get policy guidance and collaboration on student welfare.
Parents and guardians may also be engaged on a referral basis for students who need additional support.
“In summary, if you are a Unilorite with a question, challenge or goal and you need guidance, this Centre is for you. Our duty is to complement the role of lecturers and the Counselling Unit to ensure that every student has a person on campus who is genuinely interested in their welfare,” Prof. Ayinla said.
She, therefore, encouraged members of the University community to take advantage of the services of the Centre, optimally.
