Lai Mohammed lauds UNILORIN’s leadership tradition
By Tajudeen Babamale
The immediate past Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended successive administrations of the University of Ilorin for sustaining stability and institutional growth over the years.
Alhaji Mohammed made the remarks last Wednesday (April 8, 2026), during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN at’ the Vice Chancellor’s Committee Room ahead of his book presentation held at the Auditorium Basement.
The former Minister, who described his visit as a homecoming, recalled his early career at the institution, where he served as a Graduate Assistant in 1978 in the Department of Modern European Languages, one of the foundation Departments in the Faculty of Arts, before going into public service.
Alhaji Mohammed particularly praised the University’s leadership tradition, saying that it has consistently been guided by Vice Chancellors and Administrators who remain focused on institutional goals despite external pressures. He observed that the University had maintained a stable academic calendar, even while navigating challenges associated with student-related issues and union activities.
According to him, such resilience has positioned the institution as one of the least disrupted public universities in the country, attributing this to disciplined governance and continuity in leadership.
Speaking on his memoir, titled “Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration,” copies of which were donated to the University Library, the former Minister explained that the publication forms part of his contributions to national discourse and the documentation of his public service experience. He noted that after spending eight years in office, he considered it necessary to chronicle his journey, not merely as a personal account, but as a reflection on governance and contemporary societal realities.
While stressing the significance of public officials documenting their experiences for the benefit of posterity, he said governance is complex and often misunderstood by the public. He explained that decisions taken by government may sometimes appear unpopular or unclear to citizens, but they are often driven by considerations that may not be immediately visible or easily explained.
Alhaji Mohammed, who was accompanied by a former Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, called for stronger collaboration between academia and society, advocating what he described as a “town and gown” relationship.
Drawing from his experience in government, he maintained that bridging the gap between universities and policymakers is essential for informed decision-making and national development.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, appreciated the former Minister for identifying with the University and for his generous donation of copies of his memoir to the University Library.
The Vice Chancellor said the donation of the book would enrich the academic resources of the University and provide valuable material for students, researchers, and members of the University community interested in governance, media studies, and public administration.
Prof. Egbewole described the visit and the book presentation as a meaningful intellectual engagement that aligns with the University’s tradition of promoting knowledge sharing and scholarly interaction between academia and experienced practitioners from different sectors of the society.
The Vice Chancellor, moreover, reiterated the commitment of the University to fostering collaborations that promote learning beyond the classroom.
