By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin will graduate a total of 11,886 students, including 316 First Class degree holders, during its 40th convocation ceremonies scheduled for October 21 and 22, 2025.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN) announced this on Monday at a press briefing in Ilorin, noting that 4,120 students bagged Second Class (Upper Division), 5,939 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,078 Third Class, while 11 students will graduate with Pass degrees.
Egbewole said the university has maintained its place among Nigeria’s top-ranked institutions, attracting over ₦2.5 billion in research and infrastructure grants from TETFund in 2025.
He disclosed that the school also secured a Special High Impact Project (SHIP) grant of ₦4 billion for upgrading facilities at the College of Health Sciences, and ₦750 million for a new hostel project. Both grants were presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, in April.
Highlighting UNILORIN’s growing global reputation, the VC commended Dr. Ismail Odetokun, an Associate Professor in Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, for ranking among the most cited scholars on Google Scholar, with 11,826 citations.
“UNILORIN has grown from humble beginnings into a leading institution of higher learning, a national treasure and an emerging global academic brand. The ‘Better by Far’ identity is no longer a slogan it’s a lived reality built on excellence, stability, and innovation,” Egbewole stated.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Visitor to the university, will commission seven new projects during the ceremonies, including the Faculty of Social Sciences building, a lecture hall complex for Social and Management Sciences, an English Drama Studio, and the renovated Geography Department building.
Other projects are the remodelled UNILORIN Innovation Hub, the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre, and renovated Blocks 1–10 of the institution.
Kwara partners AFFiT to boost Teachers’ innovation
The Kwara State Government has announced a partnership with the African Forum for Innovative Teachers (AFFiT) to enhance teachers’ development, innovation, and leadership across its tertiary institutions.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, described the engagement as timely and productive, reaffirming Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to transforming education.
She stressed the need for collaboration, stating, “Government alone cannot do it. We need collaboration to advance education.”
The Commissioner listed key administration achievements, including the establishment of the Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), the completion of the Osi Campus of KWASU, the accreditation of new courses, implementation of the new minimum wage for tertiary staff, and the expansion of bursary and scholarship schemes.
AFFiT’s Director General, Dr. Ogah Emmanuel, explained that the organization is a continental platform dedicated to improving education through teacher innovation.
He revealed that Kwara has been selected as the pilot state for a nationwide programme, in partnership with the NCCE, to train and induct NCE 2 and 3 student teachers and their lecturers across all federal and state colleges of education. The project aims to equip student teachers with 21st-century pedagogical skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial competencies.