Campus News

Unilorin sets high standard for future NALT conferences – BOT Chairman

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the National Association of Law Teachers (NALT), Prof. Ademola Popoola, has applauded the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, for successfully hosting the Association’s 55th Annual Conference, saying that the event would remain memorable for years to come.

Prof. Popoola made these remarks last Thursday (February 6, 2025) while speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin on the sidelines of the post-conference meeting at the Faculty of Law Boardroom.

The NALT BOT Chairman expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Nimah Modupe Abdulraheem; the University Management; and the entire staff of the Faculty of Law for their contributions to making the event a resounding success.

Prof. Popoola said the impressive hosting of the conference at the University of Ilorin has set a high standard for the next host institution, the University of Abuja. He said that the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Abuja, who is a former staff member of teh University of Ilorin, witnessed how the conference was organised, which is expected to influence their approach in hosting the next event.

Speaking on a paradigm shift in governance structure that will forever be associated with the University of Ilorin, the BOT Chairman said the Association marked a historic transition in its governance structure during the 55th conference. He said, “Traditionally, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the hosting institution automatically became the President of the Association. This practice had been in place since the first conference in 1963. After reviewing the Association’s governance model, it was determined that NALT had matured enough to adopt a structured leadership election process. Consequently, the Association evolved to a system where officers are now elected rather than appointed by default. This election took place in Ilorin as the 55th conference hosted by the Faculty of Law”.

While acknowledging the support of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Popoola said, “The University Management played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the event. The Vice-Chancellor was actively involved from the bidding stage to the execution of the event, which demonstrated strong support for the Faculty of Law and the Association.”

On her part, the Dean of the Faculty of Law and immediate past President of the NALT, Prof. Nimah Modupe Abdulraheem, credited the success of the conference to the motivation, wisdom, support, and mentorship provided by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN.

She stated that the 55th conference marked a milestone in the history of NALT because despite numerous past attempts, the Association had been unable to elect its Executive Committee members.

She said, “Today is a milestone in the history of NALT. In the past, ever since the establishment of the association, we have not been able to elect our executive. We have tried at several conferences, but without yielding results. However, at the University of Ilorin, which is known for excellence, we were able to achieve this feat. This is one of the most notable accomplishments of the 55th conference. The Association was able to achieve what it has been yearning for, for more than 20 years”.

Meanwhile, the newly elected President of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), Prof. John Oluwole Akintola, expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the Association’s 55th National Conference.

Prof. Akintola appreciated the immediate past President, Prof. Nimah AbdulRaheen, for her exemplary leadership in steering the affairs of the Association over the past years. He also commended her team, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 55th Conference, and the entire Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, for successfully hosting a historic and remarkable conference.

The new NALT President, who is the Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, also acknowledged the unwavering support of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, whom he described as a mentor and a pillar of support.