VC applauds French Embassy as UNILORIN takes delivery of digital equipment
By Tajudeen Babamale
The University of Ilorin has taken delivery of advanced digital equipment from the Embassy of France in Nigeria, following its emergence as a Gold Level beneficiary of the Bilingual and Competitive initiative of the Embassy.
The intervention, which places the University in the top category of participating institutions, is designed by the French Embassy to equip the institution’s Department of French with modern digital tools aimed at strengthening French language education in Nigeria.
While receiving the delegation from the Embassy in his office last Friday (March 27, 2026), the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, applauded the French government for its continued academic support and collaboration with Nigerian institutions.
Prof. Egbewole described UNILORIN as a leading destination for international students and noted that the new digital facilities would significantly enhance the teaching and learning of the French language in the University.
The Vice Chancellor explained that beyond the immediate benefits of the digital learning tools, there is a need to deepen academic collaboration between the University and the French Embassy, particularly in the area of research.
He said while the project would provide students with improved access to learning materials and modern instructional platforms, equal attention should be given to empowering academic staff to engage in high-quality research that meets international standards. He expressed optimism that the partnership could evolve to include research grants and other forms of scholarly support that would enable lecturers advance their research capacity alongside teaching.
Prof. Egbewole further expressed confidence that the installation of the equipment would be completed promptly to allow the University community to begin utilising the facilities without delay.
He reiterated that the intervention represents a strategic step towards achieving the institution’s long-term aspiration of becoming not only a leading university in Nigeria and Africa, but a globally competitive centre of excellence.
The Director of Administration at Ted Prime Ltd, Mr Ayo Odegbola Ayodele, disclosed that the firm was engaged by the Embassy of France in Nigeria to deliver and install specialised digital equipment for the Department of French of the University of Ilorin.
Mr Ayodele explained that the items supplied under the intervention include laptops preloaded with French learning resources, headsets, smart television sets, and webcams, all aimed at creating a modern, technology-driven learning environment for students and lecturers.
He noted that the equipment forms a critical component of the broader “Bilingual and Competitive” project designed to reposition French language education in Nigerian universities.
According to him, the overarching objective is to equip Nigerian youths with language skills that would enable them to engage effectively with neighbouring Francophone countries and compete globally without language barriers. He added that the initiative seeks to broaden access to French beyond students in the Department of French, extending learning opportunities to individuals across different disciplines.
Mr Ayodele congratulated the University of Ilorin on its selection as a Gold Level beneficiary, describing the process as highly competitive. He also commended the University management for its visible support for the Department of French, noting that the level of commitment demonstrated by the institution played a significant role in its selection. From his observations, he said the University has the capacity to develop one of the most functional and impactful digital resource centres in the country.
Adedimeji congratulates Egbewole on Karim’s UNN Council appointment
By Mubarak Oladosu
The Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has congratulated the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, on the appointment of Prof. Adegboyega Karim as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Prof. Karim, the first doctoral graduand of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, is the Dean of Postgraduate School, African School of Economics, Abuja. He became the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of UNN after receiving his appointment letter from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, last Friday (March 27, 2026).
In a statement made available to UNILORIN Bulletin by the ASE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adedimeji described Prof. Karim’s appointment as richly deserved and well merited, given his immense contributions to Nigeria within the academic, development and security ecosystems over the past four decades.
He expressed confidence in Prof. Karim’s capacity to steer the foremost Nigerian university to academic excellence, peaceful development and institutional growth given the commitment he has demonstrated in driving the Postgraduate Studies at ASE as its pioneer Dean since he joined the services of the institution and the sterling records in various national assignments he had discharged over the years.
Prof. Adedimeji, a former Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin and former National Secretary of its Alumni Association, especially acknowledged the roles of the University of Ilorin in shaping the careers of its alumni, noting that many alumni of the University continue to provide leadership across various sectors in Nigeria and abroad.
The pioneer Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, pointed out that with appointments such as Prof. Karim’s, Prof. Egbewole’s vision of making the University of Ilorin the best in Nigeria, one of the top 10 in Africa and one of the best 100 in the world in teaching, research and community development is fast becoming a reality not only in quantitative but also in qualitative terms.
He said the African School of Economics will remain indebted to the University of Ilorin for producing an excellent researcher and fantastic administrator like Prof. Karim and to the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the honour bestowed on the acclaimed Pan-African University of Excellence through the appointment.
