Campus News

UNILORIN reaffirms commitment to indigenous innovation

By Mustafa Abubakar

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has reaffirmed the University’s  commitment to the promotion of indigenous innovations.

Prof. Egbewole stated this last Monday (June 2, 2025) while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Faculty of Engineering and Technology Conference (FETICON). The theme of the conference was “Revitalising Communities: The Role of Indigenous Technologies in Addressing Food Security, Energy, and Economic Challenges for a Sustainable Future”.

Represented  by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) of the University, Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, the Vice Chancellor commended the conference organisers for bringing together highly resourceful speakers, stating that their presence reflects their firm commitment to innovation and unwavering contributions to national development.

He said “We are honoured to have an array of distinguished speakers. Their consistent support for progressive ideas and tangible impact across sectors highlight the importance of this gathering”.

Speaking to the theme of the conference, Prof. Egbewole emphasised that the world has been forced to re-evaluate its priorities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that it is now more urgent than ever to look inward for solutions to challenges such as energy access, hunger, and poverty.

 He noted, “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been compelled to look inward. It has become necessary for all of us to ask: What can we do, using local solutions, to address the pressing issues that affect us? Global concerns such as energy access, poverty, and hunger continue to resonate across nations. Therefore, it is timely and appropriate that we examine these challenges from our own unique perspective and context”.The Vice Chancellor expressed satisfaction with the role of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology in initiating cross-sector partnerships that aim to enhance capacity and drive innovation.

“We are pleased that the Faculty has fostered collaborations from various sectors. These partnerships will undoubtedly enable us to improve on our existing practices—to do what we have been doing in better, more efficient ways—ultimately leading to improved outcomes and innovations”, he stated.

He stressed that the focus areas of the conference mirror Nigeria’s current realities, especially as they relate to food security, energy, and economic resilience.

According to him, “These are core issues that define our present situation. We are truly excited about the conversations and contributions that this conference will spark.”

Highlighting the University’s tradition of hosting solution-driven forums, Prof. Egbewole expressed optimism that FETICON 2025 will yield actionable results.

“At the University of Ilorin, we are always proud to host conferences that promote deep thinking and practical solutions. We are confident that the insights from our esteemed speakers will be highly beneficial. More importantly, this event goes beyond mere discussions; we have been assured that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed, translating words into tangible, actionable outcomes,” he remarked.

The Vice Chancellor said that the University looks forward not only to acquiring knowledge but also to forging meaningful partnerships and implementing strategies that will address societal problems.

               He said, “We eagerly look forward to learning a great deal from this conference—not just in terms of knowledge, but also in terms of meaningful partnerships and implementable strategies.”

               Also speaking, the Chairman of the Conference’s Central Planning Committee, Prof. Kajogbola Rasaq Ajao, appealed to stakeholders to champion indigenous innovations as a pathway to sustainable development.

Prof. Ajao also called for a more vibrant exchange of knowledge among academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators as he urged participants to work towards developing realistic community-driven solutions.