The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has, over the past five decades, transformed from a modest institution into one of Nigeria’s most respected centers of academic distinction.
The university has earned national admiration and international recognition through its unwavering pursuit of excellence, innovation, and public service.
Its famous motto, “Better by Far,” has evolved beyond a slogan — it now reflects the institution’s long-standing culture of discipline, scholarship, and progress.
From the outcome of the October/November 2024 accreditation exercise, Unilorin achieved a remarkable 100 percent success rate in the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation.
Out of the 37 academic programmes presented for evaluation, 36 received full accreditation, while one earned interim accreditation, underscoring the university’s commitment to quality education and continuous improvement.
In another milestone, Sanusi Kazeem, a 400-level student of the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, broke the Guinness World Record for the longest Mathematics lesson, teaching for 31 hours, 42 minutes, and 54 seconds.
Similarly, 18-year-old Faith Olabisi of the Department of Accounting achieved a rare feat by qualifying as a Chartered Accountant after passing the 2024 professional exams of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
In global exposure, Khafeelat Sadiq of the Department of Adult and Primary Education and Roseline Olarinde of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts won the Erasmus Mobility Scholarship through the KA171 Agreement with the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany.
Mr. Kunle Akogun, Director of Corporate Affairs, highlighted that Unilorin, one of Nigeria’s second-generation universities founded in 1975, has grown from just three faculties — Arts, Education, and Science — into 16 faculties with 108 departments, about 50,000 students, and 3,476 staff.
He added that the university’s reputation for stable academic calendars, disciplined students, and consistent excellence has made it the most sought-after institution by admission seekers for over a decade.
The 11th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has not only upheld but expanded the university’s legacy of excellence since assuming office on Oct. 17, 2022.
Under his leadership, Unilorin has reestablished its global connections through memberships in bodies like the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), where he serves as Secretary-General, and the Association of African Universities (AAU), where he was elected Vice-President (West Africa).
Unilorin’s Mission:BRAIN chapter made history in 2024 as the highest-award-winning chapter globally, clinching awards for Service and Compassion, Healing Hands, and Academic Leadership.
In sports, three students — Aina Olukayode, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, and Mustapha Ruqqayat — qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2025 World University Games in Germany, bringing further honor to the institution.
Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee, noted that Unilorin’s 15,000-hectare campus ranks among Africa’s largest and houses the Community-Based Experience and Services (COBES) program — an initiative that connects classroom learning to real-world community impact.
The COBES projects have earned recognition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their excellence in research and community engagement.
Unilorin continues to excel in research visibility, with staff such as Dr. Ismail Odetokun and Dr. Afis Basiru recording thousands of global citations on Google Scholar, confirming the university’s research credibility and influence.
Vice-Chancellor Egbewole emphasized that his administration’s five guiding principles — academic excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusive growth, and sustainable development — are designed to position Unilorin among the top 10 universities in Africa and top 500 globally.
In recognition of outstanding service, the university recently conferred Emeritus titles on distinguished scholars including Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, Prof. Olu Obafemi, and Prof. Musbau Akanji.
With notable funding from TETFund, alumni endowments, and private donations, Unilorin continues to expand infrastructure, research facilities, and academic programmes.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and bureaucratic delays, the institution remains steadfast in transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth and innovation.
These achievements collectively define the story of Unilorin — a university that has stood the test of time, maintaining uninterrupted academic calendars, preserving integrity, and continually raising the bar for educational excellence in Nigeria and beyond.