UNILORIN Geography Dept. honours 24 alumni
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin, has honoured 24 of its outstanding alumni in recognition of their professional excellence and contributions to national development.
The event, which was tagged Geography Alumni Summit, took place last Tuesday (December 9, 2025) at the Board Room of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The gathering, which brought together past and present members of the Department, showcased the unity within the Department and the growing commitment of alumni to the advancement of the institution.
In his remarks, the Ag. Head of the Department, Dr Davies Ajewole, described the event as a proud moment for the entire Geography community. He praised the honourees for being exemplary ambassadors and emphasised the Department’s commitment to fostering teaching, research and capacity building.
Dr Ajewole added that a framework for enhanced alumni engagement would soon be unveiled, which includes mentorship opportunities, internships and periodic professional development sessions. He appreciated the donations received and assured the alumni that all contributions would be used transparently to improve departmental growth.
Delivering a keynote address, titled “Setting the Pace,” Prof. Babatunde Lateef Adeleke, a Professor of Statistics, commended the Department for organising what he termed a historic gathering. He reflected on UNILORIN’s evolution from its early years as a College of the University of Ibadan to its current global stature.
Prof. Adeleke acknowledged the roles of past and present Vice Chancellors and lauded the leadership of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, whose 1:10:500 vision, he said, deserved collective alumni support. He also commended Dr Ajewole for sustaining alumni engagement.
The honourees are CP Adewale Ajadi – Commissioner of Police, FCT; Prof. Lanre Tajudeen Aiibade, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, UNILORIN; Christopher Eruba, Senior Special Assistant to Bauchi State Governor; Oyalowo Ayobami, Executive Director, Finance, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority; Col. Olubo Abintan Olatoke, Director Education Services, HQ 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lagos and Babafemi Ajibade, Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Training, Kogi State.
Others are Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Surveyor General, Kwara State; ESV Moshood Kayode Hassan, Director of Land Services, Kwara State; Ayo Adediran, Commissioner of Police, Calgary, Canada; Lasisi Oludare, Cybersecurity Specialist, Scotland; Kayode Adegbayo, Consultant, National Assembly; and Bello Lawal, National President, ALGON.
The list of the honourees also include Usman Babangida, a United Nations Security Specialist; Ekomitan Micheal, Sales Head, Seven Up Bottling Company, Ilorin; Abdullahi Iyejide, Registrar, UITH Post Basic Nursing School, Ilorin; and Prof. Isah Habibat Jimoh, former Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission; Kazeem Kayode Babamale, Registrar, Federal University of Medical Sciences, Ila Orangun; Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group, Lagos; Akogun Gbenga Omole, Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Transportation; Dauda Tijani Abiodun, Nigerian Breweries; Mrs Folaranmi Bisi Afolabi – USA as well as 2001 and 2018 sets.
Speaking at the summit, the National Publicity Secretary of the University Alumni Association, Mr Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola, stressed that alumni networks are strategic assets for any institution.
He noted that sustained engagement, clear communication and shared responsibility are essential for deepening alumni participation and strengthening departmental development.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Award Committee, Prof. K. A. Iroye, commended the honourees for sustaining strong ties with the Department despite their diverse professional paths. He explained that the summit was designed to celebrate excellence and reinforce the shared identity of the Geography family.
Prof. Iroye also noted that the event was significant because it coincided with the University’s Golden Jubilee and called for a more structured Alumni–Department engagement as the University moves into a new era.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, Hon. Gbenga Omole, praised the initiative as a model for strengthening Alumni–Department relations and enhancing the visibility of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the University at large. He said the recognition had further encouraged them to support the Department in meaningful ways.
A senior staff member of the Department, Prof. Moji Olanrewaju, also expressed appreciation to the honourees for their presence and generosity and prayed for continued blessings for all participants.
The highlight of the summit was the generous donations of office equipment, books, technical materials and direct financial support to boost teaching, research and student development by some of the honourees.
