The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is set to honour the Asipa of Ogbomosoland and retired Permanent Secretary of the Federation, Sir Barrister Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, OON, KJW, alongside other distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to the development and promotion of the institution.
Adeyemi Adekunle, will be conferred with the University of Ilorin Ambassador Award at a special ceremony scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at the University Auditorium, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The university said the recognition is in appreciation of his sustained efforts in promoting the ideals, image and development of the institution, as well as his academic engagement and public representation of the university.
He will receive the honour alongside other prominent Nigerians, including Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, immediate past Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin; Engineer Bayo Ojulari, immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC); and Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, OFR, proprietor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
The ceremony is part of the university’s initiative to recognise distinguished alumni, friends and associates whose achievements and contributions have positively impacted the institution and the wider society.
Speaking on the planned event, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Director of the University Advancement Centre, Professor Waheed Babatunde Yahya, said the honourees were selected from hundreds of nominees based on their records of achievement, service and contributions to the development of the university and Nigeria.
Professor Yahya disclosed this during an interview with newsmen at his office on Monday, August 3, 2026.
He said the ceremony would be chaired by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr Sonny S. T. Echono, while renowned legal practitioner, Mr Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, would deliver the guest lecture.
Among the distinguished personalities to be recognised is Emeritus Professor Oloyede, who served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2002 to 2012. He is being celebrated for his distinguished career and contributions to education and national development, particularly his service at JAMB.
Other notable recipients include Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, Director, Board of BOVAS Petroleum Services Limited; Chief Olusola Adekanola, a distinguished chartered accountant; and other personalities who have made significant contributions to the university and society.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Professor Yahya also disclosed that nine illustrious graduates of the university would receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.
They include the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesha, Osun State, Oba Jacob Adetayo Haastrup; Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nollah; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Miller Dantawaye; Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige; and Professor Patrick Adegoyega.
Others are the Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Delta State, Professor Samuel O. Aghalino; NNPC top executive, Mr AbdulRasheed Ojulari; Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Lateef Folorunso Oladimeji; and Vice-Chancellor of the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Professor Medinat Folorunso Salman.
Eighteen other distinguished alumni are also expected to receive the University of Ilorin Ambassador Award.
They include the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, NNPC, and Dan Amana Geri of the Ilorin Emirate, Dr Abdulkadir Tunji Nagode; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sobi 101.9 FM, Ilorin, Dr Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha; Chief Mufassir and Mufti of Osogbo, Shaykh AbdulLateeff Yusuf Abajaoro; senior military officer, Colonel Kolawole Rasheed; and Chief Executive Officer of Item 7 Confectionery Services, Ilorin, Mr Ibigbemi Oloruntobi.
Also listed among the recipients are renowned urologist, Professor Olusola Andrews; award-winning microbiologist, Professor Olatunji Matthew Kolawole; former Dean of Student Affairs, University of Ilorin, Professor Musa Toyin Yakubu; Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN; Lagos-based legal practitioner, Aare M’sbaudeen Adeyemi Adeshina, SAN; and Vice-President, Health Services, Shell International, Dr Femi Oduneye.
Other honourees include the incumbent Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade; Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme; Mrs Jane Odum, based in the United States; Director at the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Abubakar Rahmat Salihu; former Director at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Babatunde Kuye; and Mr Olusoji Oyawoye.
Professor Yahya said the University of Ilorin would continue to identify and celebrate deserving alumni, friends and associates whose accomplishments have advanced the institution and contributed to national development.
He added that the recognition was intended not only to celebrate outstanding achievements but also to encourage hard work, excellence, patriotism and continued service to humanity.
He therefore called on families, friends and colleagues of the honourees, members of staff, alumni and the general public to attend the ceremony punctually.
For Sir Barrister Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, the honour adds to a distinguished career in public service, leadership and academic engagement, as well as his longstanding commitment to the development of Ogbomosoland, the University of Ilorin and Nigeria.
