By Bashir Dawodu

The newly elected Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Jawondo, has pledged to elevate the profile of the Faculty beyond Nigeria and Africa and position it as a hub of academic excellence on the global stage.

Prof. Jawondo stated this last Tuesday (August 26, 2025) in an interview with  UNILORIN Bulletin in his office.

            According to him, the Faculty is determined to build on the solid foundation laid by past Deans, with a renewed focus on innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

“Our plan is anchored on academic excellence,” Prof. Jawondo said. adding,“We have restructured some programmes to meet international standards. History and International Studies has become History and Diplomatic Studies; the Department of Arabic is now Arabic and Transnational Studies; and Performing Arts has been expanded to Performing and Film Arts. These changes reflect our progress and readiness to compete globally.”

The Professor of History and International Studies added that the Faculty is also committed to promoting a culture of humanity by engaging students through both curricular and extracurricular activities to ensure their relevance in diverse spheres of life.

The Dean promised that those who contribute significantly to the  development of the Faculty would be duly recognised and rewarded “in cash and kind.”

He further highlighted ongoing and prospective international collaborations, including a standing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mississippi State University, a new partnership with the French Embassy, and a planned collaborative conference with Georgia University scheduled for November.

Prof. Jawondo also appealed to the University Administration for external funding to construct a 1,500-capacity lecture theatre, noting the rising population of students within the faculty.

 The Dean expressed appreciation for the management’s continuous support, and also urged staff to remain prudent in managing available resources and adhere strictly to university and national regulations.