“Don’t Rely Solely on the Portal,” UNILORIN DVC Tells Level Advisers, Faculty Officers, Others

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, has called on Heads of Departments, Directors, Level Advisers, Faculty Officers and other academic administrators to strengthen human supervision of the institution’s portal-based academic processes.

She made the call on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a capacity-building workshop organised for academic administrators at the University Auditorium.

According to the DVC, the University’s academic portal now serves as a central platform for key processes, including admission, clearance, course registration, continuous assessment and results processing. However, she stressed that technology could not replace the judgement and responsibilities of academic officers.

Prof. Bakare-Odunola noted that effective supervision remained necessary to identify issues such as incorrect course combinations, registration errors and other academic challenges that could not be adequately addressed by an automated system.

She consequently urged academic administrators to take ownership of the accuracy of academic records, monitor processes and data closely, and address emerging issues before they become more difficult to resolve.

The DVC also highlighted the roles of Level Advisers and Faculty Officers in supporting students and ensuring compliance with approved academic procedures.

She described course registration as a significant academic process rather than a mere administrative exercise, urging Level Advisers to pay close attention to course codes, carry-over courses, prerequisites, electives and students’ academic workloads.

She further called for timely approval of course registrations and warned against allowing pending requests to accumulate, noting that unresolved approvals could create further academic complications for students.

Prof. Bakare-Odunola also advised academic units to set internal deadlines ahead of official University deadlines, regularly monitor registration and results processes, properly document corrections and escalations, and provide complete evidence when reporting technical challenges.

Meanwhile, the University Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal, urged academic and administrative officers to exercise prudence in managing the institution’s financial resources.

Lawal explained that University officials entrusted with public funds must operate within approved financial limits. He stated that an officer could not receive an advance exceeding ₦1 million for official expenditure, adding that requests above the threshold should be handled through the appropriate contracting process with the relevant vendor’s invoice attached.

The Bursar stressed the importance of proper financial planning, noting that allocations to various University units are distributed across four quarters of the financial year.

He therefore encouraged heads of units to plan their activities around their available allocations and comply with established financial procedures, adding that delays in approving some requests could arise from previous expenditures.

Also at the workshop, the Acting Managing Director of Unilorin Holdings Limited, Prof. Bashiru Ademola Raji, outlined plans to strengthen collaboration between the company and Faculties, Departments and Centres across the University.

Raji said the initiative was aimed at converting the University’s academic expertise and institutional resources into sustainable economic opportunities.

He disclosed plans for short certificate programmes, including training in first aid and emergency response, as well as proposed collaborations with the Departments of Food Science and Geology and the Centre for Cultural Studies.

He added that Unilorin Holdings was exploring opportunities in the mining sector and had begun the process of securing the necessary licence.

Prof. Raji, whose tenure as Director of Unilorin Holdings is expected to end in November, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the company.