The University of Ilorin has fully automated its administrative and academic processes to enhance efficiency and service delivery, Vice Chancellor Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has said.
Prof. Egbewole, who also chairs the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+) and serves as Vice President (West Africa) of the Association of African Universities (AAU), told UNILORIN Bulletin that automation has streamlined operations for students, staff, and other stakeholders.
“From the outset, we made automation a key priority. We aimed to become a paperless university, and today, the results speak for themselves,” he said, noting that initial skepticism has given way to widespread recognition of the system’s impact.
The Vice Chancellor, also Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), explained that processes ranging from student registration and academic records to staff leave management and payment approvals are now fully automated.
He added that he can monitor university operations in real time through a digital dashboard, including the number of registered students and staff on leave, regardless of whether he is on campus or abroad. “Since August 15, 2025, our Deans and Directors have also been operating paperlessly,” Prof. Egbewole said.
The automation has extended to financial management, complementing national platforms such as Remita and TSA while ensuring internal administrative work continues smoothly.
Prof. Egbewole expressed pride that the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended the university as one of Nigeria’s best in automation, even suggesting that other universities replicate the model.
Addressing challenges, he noted that capacity-building and adaptation were key hurdles. “We are continuously training staff to develop the necessary skills to operate the system efficiently,” he added.
On costs, Prof. Egbewole explained that the automation did not require extra university funds, as the agreement with technology partners is based on a revenue-sharing model from student payments rather than upfront financing.
The University of Ilorin’s automation initiative positions it among Nigeria’s leading institutions in technological innovation, reflecting a broader trend toward digital transformation in higher education.
