University of Ilorin

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University of Ilorin
Image:Unilorin logo.jpg

Motto:	Probitas and Doctrina
Established:	1975
Type:	Public
Vice-Chancellor:	Is-haq Olarenwaju Oloyede
Students:	20,084
Location:	Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Campus:	Urban
Website:	www.unilorin.edu.ng

The University of Ilorin (established by a decree of the Federal Military Government in 1975) is a federal government owned tertiary institution of education located in Ilorin, Kwara State, north central Nigeria.^[1] ^[2] The ancient city of Ilorin (after which the institution is named), capital of Kwara State is located about 300km away from the commercial capital of Nigeria, Lagos and 500km from Abuja, the administrative capital. Initially, the university started off as a University College affiliated to the oldest university in Nigeria in 1975 under the leadership of the then principal, Dr.T.N.Tamuno. The first set of 200 students selected following an entrance examination were admitted into residence on October 23rd, 1976, while academic work started October 25th , 1976, after the Principal’s address. The University College (as it was known then) started with 3 academic faculties of Arts, Science and Education. In October 1977, the Institution attained full autonomous status with appointment of the then Principal, Prof. O.O Akinkugbe as first vice chancellor.The current vice chancellor, Prof. I.O Oloyede is the first Unilorin alumnus to occupy that position. The staff and student populations now stand at 3,040 and 20,084 respectively.

The University started off on a portion of the temporary campus of the Kwara State Polytechnic known as the mini campus. The mini campus was the site of academic programmes in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Engineering & Technology, Business and Social Sciences, and basic clinical sciences of the Health Sciences Faculty. This was the only campus of the university until January 1982 when the movement of over 1000 students studying science was commenced following completion of new Faculty blocks and Residencies for Natural Sciences and Engineering on the permanent campus site. From 1983,the law programme was started as a department in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. Following a 6-year hiatus, it was re-established in 1993 as a full fledged Faculty. The university now has 9 faculties-Arts, Agriculture, Business and Social Sciences, Education, Engineering and Technology,Law and Science; a College of Health Sciences(with 2 Faculties-Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences); 2 institutes-Institute of Education and Unilorin Sugar Research Institute; and the Postgraduate School. These faculties have 60 academic departments in total. Undergraduate degree programmes are run for 3-5, or 6 years, depending on entry qualifications and discipline.