Egbewole charges leading scientists to mentor younger researchers
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has encouraged researchers recognised in the 2026 Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists database to mentor younger colleagues in order to expand the University’s pool of globally recognised scholars.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge last Monday (October 19, 2026) at a reception held in honour of the 10 researchers from the University listed in the global database.
He commended them for their contributions to research excellence and the institution’s growing academic reputation.
Describing the scholars as valuable assets to the University, the Vice Chancellor said their achievements had contributed to the Institution’s strong performance in research quality and international academic assessments.
He urged them to regard their recognition not merely as a personal accomplishment but as an opportunity to strengthen the University’s collective research capacity by sharing experiences, guiding emerging scholars and encouraging colleagues to produce impactful publications.
Prof. Egbewole stated that the University needed to increase both the number of globally recognised researchers and the volume of quality research produced across its colleges and faculties. He expressed optimism that more scholars would feature in subsequent editions of the database.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the University to supporting research and scholarly publications, disclosing that the institution had recently approved $900 in publication-related support. He acknowledged the contributions of the researchers’ families and urged the scholars to sustain their achievements in pursuit of the University’s ambition to become Nigeria’s leading institution.
Speaking earlier, the Project Manager, Ranking Implementation, Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, said the achievement aligned with the University’s Vision 1:10:500, describing the vision as a strategic commitment being pursued through deliberate institutional efforts.
Prof. Ambali said the recognition reflected the researchers’ dedication to excellence and their contributions to the growing global visibility of the University, noting that the Institution’s standing in research quality was underpinned by scholarly outputs attracting international attention and citations.
He explained that the reception was organised to appreciate the researchers’ contributions, celebrate their accomplishments and motivate them to achieve greater results in subsequent ranking exercises.
Prof. Ambali expressed optimism that more University scholars would feature in the 2027 edition of the database, urging the celebrated researchers to sustain their productivity and inspire other academics to pursue international recognition.
Speaking on behalf of the 10 researchers, a Professor of Public Health and a Community Health Physician at the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Oladimeji Akeem Bolarinwa, thanked the Vice Chancellor and other Principal Officers of the University for recognising their contributions to research excellence.
He described the commendation as deeply meaningful, saying it had given the researchers a strong sense of fulfilment and appreciation for their work. He disclosed that he had shared the Vice Chancellor’s commendation letter on his social media platforms, describing the recognition as worth more than a million dollars to him.
Prof. Bolarinwa said the gesture demonstrated the importance of leadership that recognises merit and rewards excellence, adding that it would remain a positive legacy beyond the Vice Chancellor’s tenure.
While appreciating the management for providing an enabling environment for research, he appealed for sustained institutional support to strengthen the researchers’ capacity to produce high-quality publications and improve the University’s global academic standing.
