The University of Ilorin has formalized a strategic partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa, aimed at fostering academic collaboration and expanding its international reach.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on July 29, 2025, at the Equitas Auditorium, UFS campus, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, representing the University of Ilorin, and Prof. Hester C. Klopper, Vice Chancellor and Principal of UFS, signing on behalf of the South African institution.
The agreement outlines cooperation in areas such as staff and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, cultural collaboration, and other academic engagements. Both parties expressed optimism that the partnership will enhance educational development in Nigeria and South Africa.
In his remarks, Prof. Egbewole noted that the University of Ilorin remains committed to fostering global academic alliances. He described the institution as one of Nigeria’s most stable and impactful universities, highlighting its upcoming 50th anniversary in November 2025 and its reputation for intellectual and technological advancements. Prof. Egbewole, who was recently elected Vice President (West Africa) of the Association of African Universities (AAU), emphasized the mutual benefits the MoU is expected to generate.
Prof. Klopper, the first woman to lead UFS, expressed appreciation for the partnership, noting that both institutions share a strong tradition of peace and academic excellence, which she believes will support the effective implementation of the agreement.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Azubike Onuora-Oguno, former Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Ilorin, and a representative from the UFS Faculty of Law.
During his visit, Prof. Egbewole also delivered a keynote address on July 30 at a three-day conference organized by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) and UFS Faculty of Law. His address, titled “Understanding and Predicting Unconstitutional Changes of Government: Megatrends, Causes, Effects, and Legacies,” was part of the “Winter School and Conference on Constitutionalism in Africa.”
The conference also featured a presentation by Prof. Onuora-Oguno and Prof. Yinka Omoregbe, President of the Nigerian Society for International Law, on the role of civil society in governance.
As a notable outcome, the University of Ilorin was selected to host the 2026 ANCL Annual General Meeting.
Reacting to the developments, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, Director of the Centre for International Education, praised the Vice Chancellor for advancing the university’s global engagement and expressed confidence in the long-term value of the MoU.
