The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening its academic partnership with Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. Prof. Egbewole gave this assurance last Monday (March 2, 2026) at the Vice Chancellor’s Committee room when he received scholars from the German University who were at the University of Ilorin for the Public Lecture Series organised by the Centre for International Education (CIE).
The team, led by a scholar of Intercultural Business Communication at Jena University, Prof. Christoph Vatter, also included the Head of International Office, Dr Claudia Hillinger, and a Professor of Intercultural Business Communication, Dr Nils-Christian Terp.
The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the existing cordial working relationship between the two universities, noting that the collaboration had already produced encouraging outcomes.
He expressed appreciation for the progress recorded so far, stating that the partnership was deliberately conceived and carefully nurtured, which explains the positive results being achieved.
Prof. Egbewole noted that the collaboration is expected to significantly reshape the nature of research at Unilorin, particularly in the areas of grant opportunities and expanded academic cooperation.
He added that both institutions stand to benefit mutually from the relationship and assured the visiting team that the University of Ilorin would continue to nurture the partnership to ensure even greater outcomes.
The Vice Chancellor also commended Prof. Vatter and his team for committing time and resources to visit Nigeria despite negative global perceptions, stressing that the engagement reflects the shared belief in the unity and interconnectedness of humanity.
Earlier, the Director of CIE, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, explained that the collaboration between the two universities was facilitated through Prof. Bola Clara Simeon Fayomi.
He disclosed that the German Universiy has so far hosted two postgraduate students from the University of Ilorin, with another two expected to travel to Germany soon.
According to him, the University is also preparing to receive two staff members from the German University on academic exchange.
Prof. Onireti said the visiting delegation was in Ilorin under the Erasmus+ programme framework to explore opportunities for joint research and deeper institutional engagement.
He thanked the Vice Chancellor for his sustained support in promoting internationalisation and collaborative initiatives within the University.
Speaking earlier, Chair of the Professorship of Intercultural Business Communication at Jena University and leader of the team from Germany, Prof. Christoph Vatter, described Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, as one of Germany’s oldest universities, founded in 1558, and expressed pride in partnering with the University of Ilorin, which he described as one of the notable universities in Nigeria.
He noted that the two postgraduate students earlier received from UNILORIN performed excellently, adding that he looks forward to the next visit scheduled for May to further deepen the relationship.
Prof. Vatter explained that North–South academic cooperation remains very important, stressing the need for both institutions to co-construct knowledge in today’s complex global environment.
He, therefore, called for sustained contact aimed at building a sustainable partnership anchored on peace, harmony, mutual understanding, co-learning and joint knowledge construction from an African perspective.
