Campus News

We are proud to associate with KAM Holdings – Egbewole

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has described KAM Holdings Limited as a beacon of industrial excellence in Nigeria, stating that the University Council and Management are proud to be associated with the country’s largest wholly indigenous metal and steel production company.

Prof. Egbewole stated ths last Wednesday (April 23, 2025), when he led members of the University Management on a visit to the company’s headquarters in Ilorin. The University’s management team and a visiting scholar from Ethiopia University, Prof. Daniel Kitaw, were at the KAM Holdings head office to explore avenues for deeper academia-industry synergy.

               While speaking on the importance of the visit, the Vice Chancellor said that the visiting scholar requested to familiarise himself with industrial operations in the state as part of an ongoing efforts to foster innovation-driven collaboration.

 “I brought Prof. Kitaw here to witness firsthand the scale and sophistication of operations at KAM Holdings”, Prof. Egbewole said, adding that “the idea is for him to take this story back to his country and to contribute to our shared vision of establishing technology parks. Our hope is to someday have KAM Holdings replicate its operations on our campus, thereby giving our students and researchers real-time access to industrial processes.”

Prof. Egbewole expressed appreciation to the management of KAM Holdings Ltd for their warm reception and continued support of the University’s developmental initiatives, noting the need to further institutionalise partnerships that would benefit students, staff, and the broader economy.

               While stating that KAM Holdings has become a household name not only in Kwara State but also across North Central Nigeria and the entire country, the Vice Chancellor further proposed an expansion of the current partnership between the two institutions. He said, “Beyond the existing SIWES programme and employing graduates of the University, we are keen on co-developing a curriculum that will allow our students to gain hands-on training right here at KAM Holdings. This would ensure they graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but with practical experience that aligns with industry standards.”

In his own remarks, Kitaw, who is a Professor of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT), Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia, said that the visit to Kam Holdings Limited was driven by a keen interest in exploring the industrial capacities available in Ilorin and assessing how they could contribute meaningfully to the realisation of UNILORIN’s proposed Innovation Hub.

Prof. Kitaw, who is also the President of AfricaLics, noted that Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent, are currently navigating a period of intense global competition, which demands a higher level of innovation and stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

According to him, the innovation project being championed by UNILORIN is not intended to serve only the University community or the city of Ilorin, but is envisioned as a pan-African initiative that will drive technological advancement and economic transformation across the continent. He added that the proposed Innovation Hub will be the first of its kind in Africa, with the potential to position Nigeria as a hub for industrial-academic synergy and innovation leadership.

While welcoming the UNILORIN team to KAM Holdings headquarters, the Executive Director,  Corporate Services of the Company, Mr Kola Awojobi, reiterated the company’s commitment to working closely with the University of Ilorin and described the institution as a vital stakeholder in the company’s growth.

Mr Awojobi noted that it has long been the policy of KAM Holdings to identify and recruit bright graduates from the University into its workforce, a model inspired by best practices from Italy, where the Company maintains strategic international relationships. He affirmed that the University has consistently produced highly competent graduates who have contributed significantly to the company’s success.

The Executive Director assured the visiting team that KAM Holdings would continue to serve as a willing partner in progress, particularly in initiatives that promote education, research, and industrial advancement. He also expressed optimism that the proposed Innovation Hub would open new frontiers for both institutions and the broader society.

On the entourage of the Vice Chancellor were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; the Deputy Director, Blue and Regenerative Economy, Dr Suleiman Abimbola Yahaya, and a staff of the Centre for International Education, Mr Lukman Ajibade.

The KAM Holdings team that received the University of Ilorin contingent include the Executive Director, Legal Matters, Mr Olumide Abdulkareem; the GRP Head, Internal Audit, Mr Adebayo Idowu; the General Manager, Treasury, Mr Steven Odeyemi; the General Manager, Corporate Services, Mr Abdulfattah Adeyemi; the General Manager, Tax Matters, Mr Bisi Ibuoye; the DGM, Foreign Procurement, Mrs Abosede Owoeye; and the DEP Plant Head, Mr Hari Kundu.