Breakfast is key to workplace efficiency, Karim tells Unilorin staff
By Tajudeen Babamale and Abubakar Abdulquadri
The Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof. Olayinka Ramota Karim, has advised female staff of the University of Ilorin not to neglect breakfast, describing it as a cornerstone of good health and workplace productivity.
Prof. Karim gave this charge last Tuesday (September 23, 2025) while delivering a lecture on the topic, “Healthy Eating for Productive Workplace: Practical Nutrition Tips for Employees” at the 2nd Annual Health Talk programme organised by the University of Ilorin Women Association Pre-Basic School (UNIWAPBS) Board and held at the University Auditorium.
The Professor of Food Science and Technology explained that starting the day with a healthy breakfast plays a critical role in boosting metabolism, enhancing concentration, and sustaining energy levels.
She added that a proper morning meal helps the body burn energy efficiently throughout the day, improves memory and learning, sharpens alertness for decision-making, and prevents mid-morning fatigue.
The renowned scholar identified some common workplace nutrition challenges faced by women to include skipping breakfast due to rush or traffic, busy schedules and long working hours, reliance on fast food and canteen snacks, and limited access to healthy meal options. According to her, these challenges often contribute to fatigue, poor concentration, and declining productivity.
Prof. Karim, however, urged participants to adopt practical, affordable, and culturally relevant strategies for maintaining healthy lifestyles both at work and at home. She said such strategies include making breakfast the foundation of a productive day, planning meals ahead and taking home-cooked food to work to reduce reliance on fast food, keeping healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts for sustained energy during office hours, staying hydrated by keeping a water bottle at one’s desk and sipping regularly, and eating on schedule to avoid skipping meals, particularly breakfast.
While declaring the programme open earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, commended the President of UNIWAPBS, Mrs Muibat Adeola Egbewole, for sustaining the annual health talk initiative. He noted that the programme had continued to make a positive impact not only on female staff members, but also on the entire University community by promoting wellness, awareness, and healthier lifestyles.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Biodun Sulyman Alabi, observed that the strength of any institution lies in the well-being of its workforce, noting that only a healthy staff can contribute meaningfully to the vision, mission, and overall productivity of the University.
He further stated that programmes like the health talk are vital in equipping staff with practical knowledge that enhances their physical well-being, mental alertness, and workplace efficiency.
The Vice Chancellor encouraged the University staff to take advantage of the health education platforms provided by the UNIWAPBS, describing the initiative as a demonstration of visionary leadership and a commitment to staff welfare.
In her welcome address, the President of the University of Ilorin Women Association Pre-Basic School Board, Mrs Muibat Adeola Egbewole, described the theme of the programme as timely, noting that since the workplace is where people spend a significant part of their lives, true productivity requires not only professional excellence but also physical and emotional well-being.
She, however, expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for granting the Board of the Unilorin Women Association the opportunity to organise the 2nd Annual Health Workshop, as she acknowledged his unwavering support and commitment to promoting health and wellness within the University community.
Also delivering a lecture titled “Strengthening Mental Resilience: Coping with Stress and Burnout at Work”, a scholar of Guidance and Counselling, Prof. Alfred Adegoke, cautioned that while stress is a normal human reaction, prolonged stress can cause burnout, weaken immunity, reduce productivity, and leave victims feeling helpless, cynical, and resentful.
While urging staff to build resilience by maintaining social connections, and develop friendships with colleagues, talk to good listeners, and engage with people instead of retreating to smartphones, Prof. Adegoke stated that “social contact is nature’s antidote to stress.”
