Ex-Minister commends UNILORIN’s academic excellence
By Isaac Lewu
A former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended the University of Ilorin on its sustained institutional excellence, describing the University as “lucky and blessed” with a succession of focused and capable Vice Chancellors.
The former Minister, gave this commendation last Wednesday (March 8, 2026) at a book review and presentation ceremony held at the University Auditorium Basement.
He particularly commended the institution’s uninterrupted academic calendar, noting that it remains a distinguishing hallmark in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Alhaji Mohammed, who is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reflected on his early career as a Graduate Assistant at the University in 1978, expressing pride in the institution’s remarkable growth and sustained relevance over the years.
He attributed his personal success largely to the unwavering support of his wife, whom he described as his “driving force,” emphasising the importance of strong family values in achieving professional and personal milestones.
The former Minister also identified corruption as one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, recalling his “Change Begins With Me” campaign initiative, which sought to promote national rebirth and ethical reorientation among citizens.
Alhaji Mohammed pointed out that, corruption had permeated the various levels of the society, saying that meaningful change must begin from the grassroots, particularly through early value orientation among children.
He advised union leaders and academics to actively participate in politics, noting that the nation requires fresh ideas and integrity-driven leadership to navigate its developmental challenges.
Speaking on the relationship between governance and communication, Alhaji Mohammed stressed the importance of effective information dissemination, feedback mechanisms, and citizen engagement through platforms such as Town Hall meetings and media briefings.
He clarified that social media regulation is different from censorship, explaining that measures taken by governments are often aimed at safeguarding national security and curbing the spread of fake news and misinformation.
The former Minister, who was accompanied by the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Age Abdulkareem, also highlighted the evolving challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies, warning that unverified information can easily be manipulated and weaponised in the digital age.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed deep appreciation for the former Minister’s gesture of donating his book to the University, assuring him that the institution would not take such a contribution for granted but would deploy its contents to enrich the intellectual and moral development of students.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, reiterated the commitment of the University to academic excellence, innovation, and character development, stressing that UNILORIN remains dedicated to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but who are also socially responsible.
Prof. Egbewole further noted that the University continuously aligns its programmes with global best practices, ensuring that students are adequately equipped to compete favourably in a rapidly evolving world, while also contributing meaningfully to national development.
He added that partnerships and engagements, such as book review and donation ceremony, provide valuable platforms for knowledge exchange and mentorship, which are critical to shaping the future of young scholars.
In his vote of thanks, the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, expressed appreciation to the former Minister for his insightful presentation and generous donation to the University of Ilorin, noting that his contributions would greatly enrich the intellectual resources of the institution.
He also commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and the University Management for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence, while appreciating all participants and stakeholders whose presence added value to the success of the event.
He assured the donor that the University Library would ensure proper preservation and accessibility of the books for the benefit of students, researchers, and the wider academic community.
The event was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) Prof. Olalere Adeyemi; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the Postgraduate School, Mr Suleiman Dagbo; the Bursar, Mr. Abiodun Lawal who was represented by a Deputy Bursar, Mrs Florence Olufunke Gbadeyan; Directors, Dean’s, Heads of Department, lecturers, staff members and students of the University.
