Campus News

ODUNA partners UNILORIN to facilitate linkages with US institutions

The University of Ilorin and the Offa Descendants’ Union North America (ODUNA) have formalised a partnership agreement with the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating staff and student exchange programmes, as well as facilitating linkages with institutions in the United States of America. 

The MoU signing, which was witnessed by Principal Officers of the University and ODUNA Executive Committee members, held last Tuesday (January 21, 2025) at the Committee Room of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed his gratitude to ODUNA for initiating this collaborative relationship. 

Prof. Egbewole said that the goal of the University is to bridge the gap between the academia and industries, adding that the partnership with ODUNA has the potential to benefit the students, staff, and the entire university system.

According to him, “Even if the exchange facilitates relationship with hospitals in the US, our students and staff will gain exposure to advanced facilities and opportunities. I encourage us all to be deliberate in our decisions to maximise the benefits of this collaboration”. 

The Vice Chancellor also praised ODUNA for its long-standing contributions to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), as he shared optimism that the MoU would lead to fruitful outcomes for all parties involved. 

Speaking earlier, the Director of the Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Ilorin, Prof. Ibraheem Lateef Onireti, outlined ODUNA’s vision for the partnership.

He revealed that the MoU includes plans to facilitate the involvement of renowned US-based academics as resource persons for the annual special Faculty Lecture at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences; establish linkages with US-based academic institutions and professional bodies to provide adjunct lecturing opportunities for qualified ODUNA academics; create exchange internship and research fellowship opportunities for qualified students of the University of Ilorin, among others.

Speaking during the meeting, the President of ODUNA, Mr Abdulmajeed Lawal, explained the Association’s goals of supporting initiatives that benefit the University of Ilorin, ODUNA, and the communities in Kwara State.

Mr Lawal noted that ODUNA has been providing healthcare services through annual outreach programmes for the past decade. He said, “The impact has been significant, and we are now expanding our scope. Collaborating with the University of Ilorin, a ‘Better by Far’ institution, is a step towards achieving our broader goals.”

In his own remarks, a former President of ODUNA, Dr Adegboyega Abdulkadir, explained the importance of engaging Nigerians and Kwarans in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of the country. He said there are many Nigerians, particularly Kwarans, who can bring valuable resources and expertise back to the country, pointing out that “this is an area where we think we can combine our ideas to improve society”.

Dr Abdulkadir further explained that ODUNA has maintained an MoU with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for the past nine years, during which they have achieved significant milestones. “Through cooperation, we’ve had staff from UITH and the University of Ilorin volunteer in our outreach programmes. We’ve also donated equipment, medications, textbooks, and other essential items. We believe it’s time to build on these achievements and take our efforts to the next level,” Dr Abdulkadir stated.

Other members of the ODUNA delegation were Mr Nasiru Akanmu, Treasurer; Mrs Lola Mustapha, past Vice President; Dr Tolani Abdulkadir, member; Dr Odunola Rasheed, President, Offa Doctors; Dr Oyewole Sariyu, Dr H.U. Omokanye, and Mr  M.  M.  Abdulkadir.