Why I donated books to varsity library-Alafara
By Abubakar Imam
The immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdullahi Alafara Baba, has said that his decision to donate some books and journals to the University Library was targeted at empowering the library with relevant and contemporary works in the field of Industrial Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine and allied courses.
Prof. Alafara stated this last Monday (April 20, 2026) in a telephone chat with UNILORIN Bulletin.
The renowned academic said that the books numbering eight and worth ₦1.6 million were some of those he acquired during his recent visit to the United States.
Prof. Alafara explained that the materials would be found useful by students of the mentioned fields at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The former Dean, who is currently on sabbatical leave at the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, also said that the materials would equally assist the University in meeting the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercises.
Prof. Alafara encouraged library users, particularly students, to make effective use of the texts for their academic and personal development as he promised to make more donations to the library in future.
Also speaking, the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, commended Prof. Alafara for deeming it fit to donate the materials.
The University Librarian said that the materials would be displayed for all to see and made use of as he added that they have definitely increased the library stocks.
Prof. Omopupa encouraged other staff members of the University to emulate the former Dean by donating more resources to the University Library for the benefit of the present and future generations of students of the University and other library users.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has congratulated Prof. Alafara on his well-deserved recognition as the recipient of the LMD/EPD Energy Best Paper Award, following his authorship of a technical paper, titled “Development of Optimal Extraction Conditions of Indigenous Lepidolite Ore as Raw Materials for Lithium Batteries”.
The Vice Chancellor, in a letter dated April 22, 2026, addressed to Prof. Alafara and signed by the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, said that the paper, which was presented at the recent TMS 2026 Annual Meeting and Exhibition held in San Diego, California, is a testament to Prof. Alafara’s hardwork, expertise and contributions to the field of Materials Science.
Prof. Egbewole thanked the former Dean for bringing honour to the University through his accomplishments and invaluable contributions to human development.
