UNILORIN secures N2.5bn TETFund allocation, N4bn special grant to boost facilities
Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), Professor and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), on Monday, announced that the Institution had received a total allocation of N2.56 billion from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the 2025 fiscal year to enhance its academic and infrastructural development.
Egbewole, a Professor of International Law, disclosed this while briefing journalists ahead of the University’s 40th Convocation Ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital.
He explained that the intervention fund covered 11 critical areas, including physical infrastructure, entrepreneurship development, academic staff training, ICT enhancement and career services.
“Additionally, our University has been awarded a Special High Impact Project (SHIP) worth N4 billion to upgrade facilities at the College of Health Sciences, and another N750 million for the construction of a new hostel in the College.
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“The awards, presented by Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, this further confirm that TETFund remains a lifeline for tertiary education in Nigeria”, the Vice-Chancellor said
Egbewole highlighted the University’s rising research profile, revealing that 81 academic staff benefited from Senate Research Grants totaling N177 million, while eight projects secured N220.5 million under the National Research Fund.
“Our scholars are increasingly visible on the global stage, with some achieving over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor listed other notable achievements, including the unveiling of 30 campus shuttle buses under a Build-Operate-Transfer model, the establishment of a Science, Technology and Innovation Park, 100% accreditation status from the National Universities Commission (NUC), and strategic partnerships with local and international institutions such as the University of Venda (South Africa), Albany College of Pharmacy (USA), and Tech Mindset Africa (Kenya).
Egbewole commended the Federal Government for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative, which disbursed N1.59 billion to 12,983 Unilorin students during the 2024/2025 academic session, ensuring that “no student drops out due to financial hardship.”
He further announced that the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Opay for a N60 million scholarship scheme to support indigent students over the next 10 years, while the Dangote Foundation has taken over the construction of a 250-bed hostel on campus.
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Egbewole also appreciated philanthropist Tunji Olowolafe for his N200 million donation towards academic staff development and institutional projects.
Highlighting students’ accomplishments, he noted that 13,868 students would be graduating during the convocation ceremony, many of whom had distinguished themselves through national debates, innovation grants, international competitions, and Guinness World Records.
“Our students continue to make us proud – their achievements reflect the quality of training and character that Unilorin instills.
“As we celebrate 50 years of ‘Better by Far,’ we look back with pride and forward with renewed resolve. Transformation is not an event; it is a continuous process. With vision, courage, and collaboration, we will continue to build a University that Nigeria and the world can be proud of,” he said.
