By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has commended the “Better by Far” spirit exhibited by the University’s male football team, the UNILORIN Warriors, for emerging champions of the maiden Nigeria’s national university 5-a-side football tournament, which was sponsored by Moniepoint MFB.
Prof. Egbewole gave the commendation last Monday (November 3, 2025) when he received the victorious team in his office. The players were accompanied by the Chairman of the UNILORIN Sports Council, Prof. Mashood Abiola Raji; the Director of Sports, Prof. Tajudeen Olanrewaju Ibraheem; and other officials of the Sports Unit, who presented the trophy to the Vice Chancellor.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, the Vice Chancellor congratulated the team on their outstanding performance, describing the victory as a reflection of the University’s commitment to excellence in both academics and sports. He assured the athletes of the University management’s continued support to further strengthen sporting activities and participation in national competitions.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the UNILORIN Sports Council, Prof. Mashood Abiola Raji, expressed delight over the team’s remarkable performance, noting that the victory underlined Unilorin’s dominance in University sports. He also acknowledged the Vice Chancellor’s support, particularly in the provision of financial assistance that enabled the team to participate successfully in the tournament.
The Team Captain, a 400-level student of the Department of Telecommunication Science, Mr Habeeb Abdulsabur, appreciated the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their unwavering support throughout the tournament.
Mr Abdulsabur attributed the team’s success to the collective efforts of the players, coaches, and the entire Sports Unit, noting that the resources provided by the university were instrumental in helping the team reach the finals and ultimately secure victory.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Prof. Tajudeen Olanrewaju Ibraheem, explained that the competition was organised by Monieball, sponsored by Moniepoint, and ultimately won by the University of Ilorin.
He noted that one of the two preliminary stages of the tournament was hosted at Unilorin and it featured four universities. He said that the Unilorin Warriors later advanced to the finals, where they defeated the University of Calabar by two goals to nil in what was described as a highly competitive encounter.
In addition to winning the gold medal, the Director said that the Unilorin team also earned individual honours, as Mr Hanafi Mashood, a 400 level students of the Department of Human Kinetic Education, who won the Best Player of the Tournament award and Mr Funsho Funto Samson, a 300 level students of the Department of Human Kinetic Education, who won the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper awards.
Prof. Ibraheem said that, these achievements represent the University’s determination to maintain its reputation for sporting excellence.
