UNILORIN Set to Host 3rd D-8 NPRI Summit

The Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) has accepted the offer of the University of Ilorin to host the 3rd D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI) meeting.

The meeting, which would focus on research and innovation, would be attended by universities from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

The approval, which was conveyed through a letter dated March 7, 2024, and addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN by the Secretary-General of D-8, Amb. Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, confirmed the acceptance of University of Ilorin as the host of the proposed summit, scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

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Ambassador Imam, in the letter, said that  the collaboration between the  University of Ilorin and D-8 underscores the importance of collective efforts in fostering research and innovation among member countries.

 The D-8 is an organisation, which focuses on key areas such as trade, industry, small and medium enterprises, agriculture, food security, transportation, energy, tourism, health, social security, education, and human resources development.

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The Secretary General, who is also a multinational diplomat, expressed the hope that the University of Ilorin, which is renowned for academic excellence and commitment to innovation, would play a pivotal role in hosting a successful and impactful D-8 NPRI meeting, adding that the institution’s leadership and support are invaluable in advancing the collective mission of promoting research and innovation for sustainable development across the D-8 member countries.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has inaugurated a committee, under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, to organise the hosting of the Summit.

The Vice Chancellor said the hunger to host the world through the summit is to show the global community that the University of Ilorin is not only committed to academic and research excellence but also reinforces its position as a leading institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration on a global scale.

Prof. Egbewole expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to plan a summit of high standards, noting that the event is expected to bring together experts, leaders, and visionaries from across the globe.

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 Other members of the committee are the Registrar of the University, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the Ag. Bursar, Mr Oba Abdulbarki; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Jamiu Odusote; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Nimah Modupe AbdulRaheem; and the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Patricia Omojasola.

The committee members also include the Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. B. V. Owoyele; the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun; the Director of COMSIT, Prof. Rasheed Jimoh; the Director of UNILORIN Consultancy Services; Prof. B. A. Raji; the Ag. Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Dr. Abdulkareem Oloyede; the Chairman, UNILORIN Guest Houses, Prof. Modinah AbdulRaheem; and the Director of the Centre for International Education (CIE), Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem. A Deputy Registrar, Mrs Mary B. Olayemi, will serve as the Secretary.

While accepting the responsibility, the Chairman of the Committee, who is also the Chairman, Ceremonials Committee of the University, Prof. Fawole, appreciated the Vice Chancellor for the confidence reposed in  him and all the members of the Committee.

Prof. Fawole, who promised not to disappoint the trust the Vice Chancellor has in him and his team, said that with the arrays of accomplished individuals that formed the committee, he was convinced that the Committee would succeed beyond expectations .