Unilorin FM marks 17 years of excellence
By Isaac Lewu
The UNILORIN 89.3 FM has trained more than 5,000 corps members, students, interns, volunteers and other broadcasters in its 17 years of existence, as a campus radio station.
The General Manager of the station, Mr. Idris Akintola (Alooma), disclosed this last Thursday (August 13, 2026) while featuring on a weekly current affairs’ Pidgin English programme on the radio station, “Waka About” anchored by Oyakhire Ikhuemein where he spoke on the achievements and growth of the station in the past 17 years.
Mr. Alooma stressed that the UNILORIN FM had evolved beyond a campus radio station into a professional broadcasting platform, adding that the station had also contributed to the University’s visibility and ranking through its educational, community-oriented and professional programmes, while producing broadcasters and other professionals who are making impacts nationally and internationally.
The General Manager explained that the radio station started in 2009 from a small room at the University’s Senate Building, where its activities were initially limited to the campus community.
He said the station later received state-of-the-art equipment from the University Management and was relocated to the Communication & Information Sciences (CIS) Building, where it was commissioned on October 22, 2011, by the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Professor Rukayat Rufai.
The Station Manager noted that following the commissioning, the station expanded its transmission beyond the University campus, increasing its reach and strengthening its programming.
According to him, about 70 per cent of the station’s programmes are educational, while the remaining 30 per cent focuses on issues that promote interaction between the University and its host community.
He described UNILORIN FM as a “training factory”, explaining that volunteers and trainees are taken through training, practical broadcasting and certification to prepare them for careers in the media industry.
The General Manager said the station had hosted trainees from institutions across Nigeria, including students from other universities who come to UNILORIN FM for industrial training and practical experience.
He added that many former volunteers and trainees of the station now work in reputable radio and television stations, while some have become chief executives, lecturers and other professionals in different fields.
Mr Alooma commended the University Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for his support, particularly the installation of solar power, which, he said, had helped the station to sustain 24-hour broadcasting.
He also described the relationship between the station and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as cordial, noting that UNILORIN FM had consistently participated in professional training, seminars and workshops organised by regulatory and broadcasting bodies.
The General Manager said the station had received several awards and commendations from organisations, including the Union of Campus Journalists and the Students’ Union, in recognition of its professionalism and contribution to the University community.
He added that the station is working at expanding its global reach, strengthen its online presence and position itself as a major contributor to the University’s international visibility and ranking before its 20th anniversary.
He expressed optimism that the next three years would witness further technological advancement, wider audience reach and improved archiving, including the establishment of a standard reading and archival library to preserve the station’s history and records.
