Campus News

UNILORIN signs MoUs with 3 Malaysian varsities

By Abubakar Imam

As part of the efforts geared towards improving its internationalisation drive, the University of Ilorin has signed  Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three frontline Malaysian universities.

            The signing of the  MoU  was part of the highpoints of the working visit made by some members of the University Governing Council to the Universities Technologi, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia; the International Islamic University, Malaysia; and the Universiti Malaya, Malaysia; between August 19, 2025 and August 21, 2025.

            Each of these universities was visited by the delegation led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Surv. Abiodun Jacob Aluko, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN.

            Speaking at the events, the Vice Chancellor said that the delegation was in Malaysia to explore areas of mutual benefits between the University of Ilorin and the three Malaysian universities to advance Nigerian/Malaysian cooperation.

            Prof. Egbewole who is also the Vice President, (West Africa) Association of African Universities (AAU), said that Nigeria shares a lot in common with Malaysia, particularly in terms of history, culture and religion and that the two countries and their institutions of higher learning have a lot to share among themselves.

            He recalled that many academic staff of the University of Ilorin received their postgraduate training from  Malaysian universities and that the impacts of those universities are still being felt at the University of Ilorin.

            The memoranda signed with those universities cover areas such as research and publication collaboration and sports.

            Other areas included staff and students’ exchange, joint research, joint sports, Library exchange, assessment of professorial promotion and organisation of

joint conferences.

            While Prof. Egbewole signed on behalf of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Khairuddin Ab. Hamid of the University Technologi, Sibu; Prof. Dzulkifl Abdul Razak of the International Islamic University and Prof. Muhammad Hamdi Abdul Shuko appended their signatures on behalf of their respective institutions.

            Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin, a member of the delegation, who is also the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, described the visit as a very successful effort that would bring a lot of benefits to the University of Ilorin.

            He added that it was an opportunity for the University to reaffirm its status among its peers at local and international levels.

            Prof. Omopupa thanked the Vice Chancellor for mooting the idea of the visit as he said that both the staff and students of the University would always be better off with such internationalisation efforts.

            Also speaking, the Director, Centre for International Education (CIE), Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, said that he was delighted because the purpose of the visit was achieved.

            He explained that the delegation was able to interact with the top management of the host universities on best practices in higher education leadership, governance, and administration.

            He added that the formalisation of the Memorandum a Understanding (MoU) and Letters of Intent (LI) on academic collaborations between the University of Ilorin and the host universities was also a thing of joy.

            The Vice Chancellor also took time off to interact with Nigerians studying in different Malaysian universities. He encouraged them to face their studies squarely and find time to build meaningful relationships with their colleagues from other parts of the world.

            Prof. Egbewole equally reminded them of the need to return home as soon as they completed their studies, saying that Nigeria needs them to work with others towards building their respective communities and the country at large.

            Other members of the delegation are the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, and a member of the Governing Council, Mrs Suliat Abosede Juwon Olayiwola.