Campus News

UNILORIN @ 50 celebration is for all, says Mokuolu

…as he rolls out anniversary programmes

The Chairman of the University of Ilorin 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, has said that the upcoming Golden Jubilee Celebration of the University is for all those who are connected to the Institution in one way or the other and particularly its alumni.

Prof. Mokuolu, who is a former Director, Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Ilorin, stated this last Wednesday (January 29, 2025) while featuring on ‘Table Talk’, a current affairs programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM. The programme, which was anchored by the Station’s Head of Programmes, Mr Temitope Olawuyi, extensively discussed the preparations for the celebrations.

The renowned academic, who teaches at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, said that the Anniversary is intended to celebrate the remarkable achievements, challenges and aspirations of the University, saying that for the University to have attained the age of 50 and still waxing stronger is a monumental milestone that deserves to be celebrated.

The don said that the major achievements of the University remain its products who are scattered around the world and are dominating their environment in the field of education, medicine, politics, media and entertainment, to mention a few.

He added that the University, which has been the most preferred Institution of higher learning in Nigeria for the past 14 years, has produced many distinguished Vice Chancellors, leading politicians, exceptional administrators and impactful media and entertainment gurus, saying that all these make the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the University worthy of being celebrated.

He added that the celebration is practically an alumni event as well as for foundation and former staff of the University as he urged everybody to see the event as the one they must be part of.

The award-winning scholar also explained that the anniversary is also meant to celebrate a catalogue of different achievements of the various Faculties that make up the University.

The former Director of UNILORIN Consultant Services and erstwhile University Researcher of the Year, added that the essence of the Golden Jubilee is to roll out

the drums to celebrate all the excellence epitomised by the University and the sustenance of its timeless greatness.

Prof. Mokuolu also gave a clinical breakdown of the events lined up for the celebrations scheduled to commence on Sunday, November 23, 2025 with an interdenominational church service; and brought to an end with a special Jumaat service and novelty match between the current students and alumni of the University on Friday, November 28, 2025 on the University campus.

The Chairman said that Monday, November 24, 2025 would be for an Anniversary Walk from the University Main Gate into the town for people and passersby to know that the programme has commenced.

He added that Tuesday, November 25, 2025 would witness a Press Briefing by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, as he would also, after the press engagement, lead a courtesy visit, in a convoy of cars,  to some dignitaries in town, particularly the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, to show the appreciation of the University for their support and those of the people of the State over the years.

Prof. Mokuolu also explained that the following day, which would be Wednesday, November 26, 2025, would be the Alumni Day and Fund-Raising Ceremony as well as an Anniversary Play to be presented by the Department of the Performing Arts and a Research Fair, which he said is intended to showcase different innovations from the various segments of the University.

Thursday, November 27, 2025, according to the Chairman, would be dedicated to the Anniversary Lecture to be delivered by a globally-renowned scholar. This, he said, would be followed by the launching of the Anniversary Book, which is currently being worked on by a sub-committee headed by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. AbdulRasheed Abiodun Adeoye. The Anniversary Dinner would also be held on the same date.

Speaking on the anniversary project, Prof. Mokuolu said that funds would be raised towards the building of an “Innovation Hub”, which cost he put at N50 billion.

Prof. Mokuolu explained that the Hub is the core project for the anniversary and that the Committee would reach out to members of the alumni, staff, students as well as other friends of the University from all over the world for support.

He said that reasonable opportunities would be given to everyone to support the project that would be smart and energy friendly and that different aspects of the project would be named after prominent donors as a way of immortalising them and their contributions.

Prof. Mokuolu also said that students will be fully involved in the celebrations as they would have a special event and evening of their own for merrymaking. He said that this arrangement will be fine-tuned and finalised with the leadership of the Students Union.

He also said that leaders and members of the University’s host community also have a big role to play in the anniversary celebration, pointing out that people of the immediate environment and people from far and near will be actively involved.

While thanking the Chairman and members of the University Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and the entire University community for the cooperation extended to his Committee so far, Prof. Mokuolu charged the University stakeholders such as the various unions, the  host community, alumni and the general public to support the University as it celebrates the milestone.