The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has praised the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for upholding the true spirit of academic and social recognition through its recent honours ceremony.
Speaking at the event held in the university auditorium, Oloyede a former vice-chancellor of UNILORIN commended the institution for its integrity in conferring awards, contrasting it with others that offer honorary titles “like souvenirs.”
“In many institutions today, honorary awards have lost their value handed out without merit,” he said. “But here at UNILORIN, excellence is the only qualification. These honours go to people who have made tangible impacts in their fields and society.”
The ceremony recognised 50 university ambassadors, 10 distinguished alumni, and two recipients of the prestigious award of excellence. Among them was prominent legal practitioner, Chief Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun (SAN), who echoed Oloyede’s concerns.
“Honorary awards today are often driven by politics or personal interests,” Balogun noted. “But what UNILORIN is doing is restoring the dignity and meaning of such honours.”
In his keynote address, the Kuliyan of Ilorin, Prof. Yusuf Ali, encouraged beneficiaries to give back to their alma mater and communities, describing such contributions as a moral responsibility.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN) emphasized that UNILORIN remains committed to celebrating merit, not mediocrity.
“These awards represent excellence, service, and nation-building. We call on other institutions to follow this example,” he stated.
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