Unilorin VC: Nigeria’s Growth Lies in Varsity Innovation

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, (Unilorin) Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to reshape its universities into hubs of innovation and research to propel economic and technological advancement.

During a press briefing in celebration of the university’s 40th Convocation and 50th Anniversary, Egbewole stated that Unilorin’s purpose extends beyond mere education.

“Universities should act as problem-solvers and centers of innovation that directly contribute to national progress,” he remarked.

Egbewole recognized the challenges posed by limited funding, explaining that while Unilorin’s budget for 2025 was projected at ₦31 billion, it only received ₦2 billion from TETFund.

Nonetheless, he commended the intervention fund for its allocation of ₦2.56 billion for infrastructure, ICT, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Regarding the university’s drop from first to third place in desirability, he mentioned that the ranking criteria were technical and provisional, insisting that Unilorin remains highly competitive with over 22,000 applicants for its 2025 post-UTME.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the university’s upcoming focus will pivot towards innovation, partnerships with industry, and applied research.

“If Nigeria aims to compete on a global scale, its universities must take the lead in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. This is the direction Unilorin is taking,” he concluded.