By Abubakar Imam
A Deputy Director at the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr Festus Ogunyinka, has said that the University is fortunate to have Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, as its Vice Chancellor, particularly at this point in time.
Mr Ogunyinka made this assertion last Monday (July 7, 2025) while featuring on ‘Table Talk’, a current affairs programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, anchored by Ms Bimbo Durojaiye.
He described Prof. Egbewole as an outstanding scholar and astute administrator who was fully prepared for the task of leading the University.
Mr Ogunyinka, who is a former Manager of UNILORIN Press, said that Prof. Egbewole has achieved a lot within the last two and half years that he assumed the leadership of the University.
He explained that the Vice Chancellor has succeeded greatly in maintaining peace and understanding between the University and stakeholders, particularly staff and students of the institution.
Mr Ogunyinka specifically commended Prof. Egbewole for establishing the UNILORIN TV, which he said, would complement the efforts of UNILORIN Bulletin and the UNILORIN FM in not only promoting teaching and learning but also bridging communication gap between the University and the public.
He also commended Prof. Egbewole for expanding the academic horizons of the University through the introduction of new Centres such as the Centre for Gender Studies and the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, among others.
Mr Ogunyinka also appreciated the Vice Chancellor for making the University more visible nationally and internationally. This, according to him, has attracted highly rated personalities like the first African Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Eight Developing Countries (D8), Ambassador Isiaka Abdulkadir Imam, among others.
He also remarked that the tenure of Prof. Egbewole has also witnessed an improved collaboration between the University and other universities based in Kwara State, which culminated in the establishment of the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+) with him as the pioneer Chairman.
He added that the emergence of Prof. Egbewole as the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) is also an indication of the recognition accorded him beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Mr Ogunyinka equally hailed Prof. Egbewole for bringing all the revenue generating units in the University under the UNILORIN Holdings, saying that the decision would enhance revenue generation.
While expressing the conviction that the Administration of Prof. Egbewole would eventually achieve its Vision 1:10:500, Mr Ogunyinka appealed to staff of the University, particularly researchers and lecturers to work harder towards attracting more funds for the institution as he also urged the University Administration to show more concerns for staff welfare.
He also appealed to trade unions operating within the University and the students to cooperate with the Vice Chancellor to sustain the prevailing peace on campus, saying that nothing meaningful can be achieved where there is no peace.
Speaking on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the University, Mr Ogunyinka congratulated Prof. Egbewole for being the man in charge during this monumental moment in the annals of the University.
