Senate approves renaming of CIE, establishes Unilorin-STIP
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Senate of the University of Ilorin has approved the renaming of its Centre for International Education (CIE) to Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership (CISP).
The decision was one of the major highlights of the 309th Senate meeting held last Tuesday (March 31, 2026), at the University Auditorium.
The approval followed a formal request presented by the Chairman of the Business Committee of Senate (BCoS) and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola.
After deliberations by members, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, called for ratification, and the motion was subsequently adopted.
The renaming is expected to better reflect the Centre’s expanded mandate, particularly in strengthening global engagement and fostering strategic institutional partnerships.
In a related development, the Senate also approved the establishment of the University of Ilorin Science, Technology and Innovation Park (Unilorin-STIP), an initiative aimed at advancing research and innovation.
Presenting the proposal, Prof. Bakare-Odunola described the STIP as a flagship project designed to position the University as a leading innovation hub in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. She noted that the Park would promote cutting-edge research, drive entrepreneurship, enhance industry collaboration, and generate employment opportunities for graduates and the broader community.
According to her, the initiative is anchored on the University’s strong academic base, its strategic location along key economic corridors, and the availability of land for large-scale innovation infrastructure.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor explained that the primary objective of the UNILORIN-STIP is to create a robust ecosystem that supports innovation-driven economic development through the commercialisation of research outputs and sustained industry partnerships.
The Senate further approved a governance structure for the Innovation Park, under which the UNILORIN-STIP will be overseen by a Governing Board responsible for policy formulation and strategic direction, and which will be chaired by an external professional of high repute, while the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) will serve as co-chair.
Other members of the Board will include international experts, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the Kwara State Government, a representative of the University Governing Council, members from collaborating universities, industry representatives, particularly from the digital and technical sectors, a representative of the Alumni Association, and the STIP Director, who will serve as secretary.
The Board is expected to function as the highest policy-making and oversight body for the Innovation Park, guiding its operations, approving frameworks for research commercialisation, and facilitating partnerships between academia and industry.
