UNILORIN CPSS empowers Ph.D. students with research skills
By Bashir Dawodu and Muizdeen Adewole
The Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, has organised a five-day capacity building workshop for its Ph.D. students.
The training was aimed at strengthening the research skills of the students and enhancing their competence in proposal writing.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin last Tuesday, (February 10, 2026), the Director of the Centre, Prof. Abdul-Jelil Gbemisola Animasawun, explained that the workshop was designed to develop students into comprehensive knowledge producers rather than mere degree holders. “We want to build your capacity to make you. A total knowledge producer, not just a Ph.D degree holder,” he said.
The workshop focused on training Ph.D. students in remote empirical research, data management, and analysis, using cutting-edge technology.
Prof. Animasawun noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of technology in research, and Ph.D. students must be equipped to adapt to these changes.
According to the Director, the training focuses on techniques for collecting empirical data remotely, managing datasets effectively, and applying information technology tools to improve research efficiency, broaden reach, and ensure better research control.
Prof. Animasawun stressed the importance of data honesty and ethical research practices, describing data falsification as a serious academic offence with far-reaching consequences. “The evil done by the person who produces a fake medicine is lower compared to the person who uses forged data to produce a Ph.D.,” he warned.
He noted that well executed Ph.D. research should produce publishable outputs that remain relevant years after graduation. As part of accountability measures, he disclosed that a new requirement has been introduced for PhD students to present and verify their data before seminars or post-field reports, to protect the credibility and legacy of the University.
The Director commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for supporting and endorsing the initiative, noting that it aligns with the priority of the University management.
The lead Resource Person, Prof. J. Shola Omotola,who teaches at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), applauded the Centre and the University for organising the workshop and implored other universities to follow suit.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin, some of the beneficiary Ph.D. students, including Mr Soja Dantanimu, Mr Femi Shotayo, Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka, Mr. Sunday Obioma Ibeh, and Mrs Rukayat Bunmi Gold, expressed gratitude for the impactful workshop. They noted that the programme introduced them to modern research methodologies and tools of the enhancing their academic work.
“We’ve learned from experts in various fields, and their wealth of knowledge and experience have been invaluable to us,” they said.
They credited their decision to choose UNILORIN for their Ph.Ds to its reputation for producing high-quality graduates and commitment to academic excellence. “We’re confident that the skills gained will enable us to contribute to peace and security development in Nigeria and beyond,” they said, thanking the resource persons and the management of the Centre for their dedication and efforts.