By Mustafa Abubakar
A delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education Board on White Paper has commended the authorities of the University of Ilorin for their commitment to and responsiveness in implementing directives relating to the White Paper issued by the Federal Government for Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The team, led by Dr Olawale L. Kareem, gave this commendation last Monday (June 23, 2025) during an oversight visit to the University, noting with satisfaction the high level of compliance demonstrated by the institution.
Dr Kareem described UNILORIN as a pacesetter among Nigerian universities and lauded its dedication to following due process in implementing policies and reforms recommended in the White Paper.
According to him, the visit was a follow up to the Ministry’s oversight function aimed at reassessing the progress made by institutions in addressing key observations highlighted in the White Paper.
“This is a formal engagement to reassess how far the University has gone in putting in place the necessary structures in the interest of the institution. We are here to carry out this assignment with diligence, fairness, and objectivity, without fear or favour”, he stated.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, who also serves as Chairman of the University’s White Paper Implementation Committee, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the University to transparency and excellence.
Prof. Fawole noted that the White Paper has been instrumental to shaping administrative and operational reforms within the University.
Explaining further, he said that the University of Ilorin, in its usual fashion, set up an implementation committee to work on the White Paper recommendations.
He added that this proactive step gave the University a head start, and the process has since become a beneficial exercise.
“We thank the Ministry for the assurances and encouragement in what we do, and we pledge to continue doing the right thing”, he added.
Prof. Fawole further emphasised the University’s openness to future engagement and collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure continued institutional growth.
“We are open to engagements in all areas that will make us better and stronger as a University”, he said.
Present during the visit were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the University Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. S. B. Alabi who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Lukman Adesina Azeez.
Others present included the Ag. Dean, Student Affairs, Dr Alex Akanmu; the Director of Works, Engr Ramoni Kolawole Amoo; the Director, Physical Planning Unit, QS Abdulrahman Toyin Jimoh; the Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, represented by the Deputy Director, Mr AbdulRasheed Dauda Gidado; the Ag. Director, Legal Unit, F. F. Sheriff, represented by the Mrs Bashirat Egbewole; the Deputy Registrar (VCO), Mrs Azeezat Quadri-Ibrahim; and the Ag. Procurement Officer Mr Matthew Adebayo Adewoye.
The Ministry of Education team also included Engr Gbenga Ojewole, Mrs. Otakagu Gloria C., and Hajia Zainab Ibrahim.
