Campus News

Egbewole tasks students on leadership

By Mustafa Abubakar,  Joshua Ishaya,  Abdulmumin Ahmad, and Eniola Abejide

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged Nigerian students to embrace critical thinking, leadership and purposeful action as they participate in the 12th All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC) hosted by the University.

Declaring the event open last Monday (August 25,2025), Prof. Egbewole, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, described the competition as more than a contest but a training ground for leadership, public speaking and lifelong friendships.

The Vice Chancellor  said that the  repeated hosting of the championship by UNILORIN underscored its high regard for the competition and its role in national development.

He said, “The All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship is a particularly prestigious event, not just in terms of its reputation, but also in its longevity and the number of times UNILORIN has participated and hosted. Hosting up to four times shows how importantly we view this competition.”

Prof. Egbewole noted that debating goes beyond oratory skills, stressing that it nurtures leadership qualities and prepares students for life after the university.

He urged participants not just to think but to translate thoughts into action.

Earlier in his address, the President of the ANUDC Council, Dr A. A. Owoade of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, described the gathering as “a story of resilience.”

Dr Owoade recalled that the event had faced uncertainty just two weeks earlier, but the University of Ilorin rose to the challenge and turned “setback into strength.”

He lauded the Vice Chancellor and the Dean of Student Affairs for their support, saying, “By accepting to host us at such a short notice, you have not only given us a home but reminded us of why UNILORIN is called ‘‘Better by Far.”

Dr Owoade stressed that the championship was more than winning a trophy, but about shaping leaders and building communities.

“Every debate sharpens critical thinking. Every quiz strengthens knowledge. Every speech nurtures courage. What we do here is training for leadership, a rehearsal for the Nigeria we all dream of,” he said.

He also called on corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the championship as “an investment in Nigeria’s future.”

Also speaking, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Alex Akanmu, said that the University felt privileged to host the championship for a record third consecutive time, adding that facilities and accommodations were put in place to make participants comfortable.

He commended students and organisers for sustaining the culture of intellectual competition, urging them to be “fair and firm” throughout the contest.

“When you have a fair system, you can be sure of an excellent product. The whole world is waiting to celebrate the champions, and more eager to celebrate our University for putting this together even at short notice,” Dr Akanmu  said.

The Chairman of the UNILORIN Quiz, Debate and Education Committee, Prof. Oluyinka Ajibola Iyiola, also described the hosting as a privilege, praising the Vice Chancellor for his support in overcoming logistical challenges such as accommodation, transportation and venues.

Prof. Iyiola confirmed that more than 24 universities registered for the debating and public speaking segments while 16 universities took part in the quiz competition.

He urged students to see the championship as an opportunity to acquire knowledge, build networks and expand their intellectual horizons.