Famous University of Ilorin Alumni: Prominent figures who studied here

Do you know any prominent University of Ilorin alumni? Below, you will find a list of the most famous alumni of the institution. The university is known not only for being one of the best in the country but also for many prominent and successful professionals who studied there.

Key takeaways

• One of the most notable University of Ilorin Alumni is Pius Adesanmi, a renowned professor and author.
• Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu, known as West Africa’s first female neurosurgeon is also an alumni of Unilorin.
• Famous Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo is another prominent University of Ilorin alumnus.

Top 10 most famous University of Ilorin Alumni

Here is a breakdown of famous University of Ilorin Alumni who have made not only their alma mater proud, but also the entire country.

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18. Professor Pius Adesanmi

• Full name: Pius Adebola Adesanmi
• Date of birth: 27 February 1972
• Date of death: 10 March 2019
• University of Ilorin Degree: Bachelor of Arts in French Language (1992)
• Profession: Academic, Author, Satirist

Pius Adebola Adesanmi, a University of Ilorin alumni, earned his Bachelor of Arts in French Language in 1992. He went on to become a prominent academic, author, and satirist. Adesanmi’s intellectual influence extended globally, particularly through his role as a professor at Carleton University.

17. Ifedayo Adetifa

• Full Name: Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa
• Date of Birth: Unknown
• University of Ilorin Degree: MBBS, Medicine and Nigeria (1997)
• Profession: Paediatrician, Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist
• Legacy: NCDC DG, vaccine impact researcher, public health leader

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Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa is a Nigerian paediatrician and infectious diseases epidemiologist. He is the current Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), appointed in September 2021.

As a University of Ilorin notable alumni, Adetifa has had a distinguished career. He previously worked with the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. He holds a PhD in Tuberculosis Epidemiology from the University of Amsterdam.

16. Abdulfatah Ahmed

• Full name: Abdulfatah Ahmed
• Date of birth: 29 December, 1963
• University of Ilorin Degree: BSc in Chemistry, MBA
• Profession: Banker, Politician
• Legacy: Champion of Kwara's growth and development

Abdulfatah Ahmed, born on December 29, 1963, in Share, Kwara State, is a Nigerian banker and politician. He earned a BSc in Chemistry and an MBA from the University of Ilorin. Ahmed served as Kwara State Governor from 2011 to 2019, implementing key initiatives like the Shared Prosperity agenda and educational reforms.

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Before his governorship, he was a finance commissioner and worked in banking. Post-office, he returned to banking as Managing Director of First City Monument Bank. Ahmed's tenure has been marked by both achievements and financial misconduct controversies.

15. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu

• Full name: Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu
• Date of birth: 1980
• University of Ilorin Degree: Medicine
• Profession: Neurosurgeon
• Legacy: First female neurosurgeon in West Africa

Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu, born in 1980 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, is West Africa’s first female neurosurgeon. A proud female University of Ilorin alumni, she trained at the university and specialized in neurosurgery at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.

14. Ado J. G. Muhammad

• Full name: Dr. Ado Jimada Gana Muhammad (OON)
• Date of birth: January 18, 1967
• University of Ilorin Degree: Medicine
• Profession: Healthcare Leader, Public Health Expert
• Legacy: Transforming Nigeria's primary healthcare system.

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Dr. Ado Jimada Gana Muhammad (OON) is one of the notable University of Ilorin alumni names. He is a renowned Nigerian healthcare leader. As the CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), he transformed Nigeria's primary healthcare system.

His work in polio eradication and improving healthcare access left a lasting impact. Dr. Muhammad received several awards, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). His leadership continues to inspire future generations.

13. Adenike Oladiji

• Full name: Adenike Temidayo Oladiji
• Date of birth: Not specified
• University of Ilorin Degree: B.Sc., MSc., Ph.D. in Biochemistry
• Profession: Academic, Vice-Chancellor
• Legacy: Trailblazer for female leadership in academia

Adenike Temidayo Oladiji is a distinguished female University of Ilorin alumni and the first female Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure. She earned her B.Sc., MSc., and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin.

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With over 29 years of service in academia, she held several leadership roles, including Head of Department and Dean at various institutions. A prolific researcher, Oladiji has over 100 publications and numerous awards.

12. Jekwu Anyaegbuna

• Full Name: Jekwu Anyaegbuna
• Date of Birth: Uknown
• University of Ilorin Degree: Accounting
• Profession: Writer, Poet
• Legacy: Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner

Jekwu Anyaegbuna is a Nigerian writer and poet, and one of the University of Ilorin notable alumni. He won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2012 for his story Morrison Okoli (1955–2010). His works have appeared in major literary journals in the U.S. and UK.

11. Temi Olajide

• Full name: Temiloluwa Olajide
• Date of birth: Not specified
• University of Ilorin Degree: BSc in Chemistry (2003)
• Profession: Child Sleep Consultant, Founder of Mummyclinicc
• Legacy: Revolutionizing parenting solutions in the digital age.

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Temi Olajide is Nigeria's first Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Mummyclinicc Global Services. She provides solutions to parenting challenges in the digital age. Temi holds a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Ilorin and various certifications in child care.

10. Nkem Owoh

• Full name: Nkem Owoh
• Date of birth: 7 February, 1955
• University of Ilorin Degree: Engineering
• Profession: Actor, Comedian, Singer
• Legacy: Nigerian film icon, celebrated for diverse roles.

Many people know him as Osuofia due to one of the most famous movies of his, Osuofia in London. Nkem has been one of the most popular comedy actors in Nollywood for years. Just as many other Nollywood stars, he studied a completely different course at a University of Ilorin, but became an actor.

9. Is-haq Oloyede

• Full name: Ishaq Olarewaju Oloyede
• Date of birth: 10 October 1954
• University of Ilorin Degree: B.A. in Arabic
• Profession: Professor of Islamic Studies, JAMB Registrar
• Legacy: Transforming Nigerian education and public service

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The Chief Executive of JAMB received his Bachelor’s degree in Arabic studies at the University of Ilorin in 1978. His Doctorate in Islamic Studies is also from University of Ilorin (1991). He is known for his transformational impact in public service.

8. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi

• Full name: Johnson Bamidele Olawumi
• Date of birth: 20 November 1964
• University of Ilorin Degree: Master's in Mechanical Engineering
• Profession: Retired Major General, Former DG NYSC
• Legacy: Leadership in military and national service.

Johnson Bamidele Olawumi has had an illustrious career. He was the former Director General of the NYSC, a Major General of the Nigerian army and a Coordinator of the Nigerian military aviation. He has also been the chief of cyber security department at the Defense Space Agency.

7. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin

• Full name: Josephine Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin
• Date of birth: 4 July 1966
• University of Ilorin Degree: Doctorate in History and Policy of Education
• Profession: Women's rights activist, human rights advocate
• Legacy: Champion for women's rights and justice in Nigeria

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This famous activist for human rights, the leader of many organizations for human rights and for the rights of women received her B.Sc., M.Sc and Ph.D at the University of Ilorin. She is one of the most prominent and notable alumni of this university.

6. Aize Obayan

• Full name: Aize Obayan
• Date of birth: 4 March, 1960
• Date of death: 29 January 2019
• University of Ilorin Degree: Ph.D.
• Profession: Educational administrator, Professor of Counseling
• Legacy: Pioneered educational leadership and counseling in Nigeria.

Aize used to be the Vice Chancellor of both the Covenant University and Landmark University. Having received her Ph.D. from the University of Ilorin, she used to be a lecturer at a British University! After the University of Roehampton, UK, she returned to Nigeria where the joined the Covenant University. She passed away in 2019.

5. Charles Ayo

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• Full name: Charles Korede Ayo
• Date of birth: 31 October 1958
• Date of death: 2 August 2023
• University of Ilorin Degree: Ph.D. in Numerical Computation
• Profession: Academic, Administrator, Vice-Chancellor
• Legacy: Leadership, academic excellence, and ethical standards

Charles Ayo Ph.D in Numerical Computation at University of Ilorin. His education started at the Ahmadu Bello University but eventually he ended up in Ilorin, after which he moved to Lagos, he left Lagos to become Vice Chancellor of Covenant University. He passed away in 2023.

4. Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah

• Full name: Abdul Rasheed Na'Allah
• Date of birth: 1962
• University of Ilorin Degree: BA (1988), MA (1992)
• Profession: Academic, Educator, Professor
• Legacy: Prominent scholar in African oral literature.

Abdul Rasheed is a popular author who’s known for his article for The Oxford Encyclopedia of African Thought. His received Bachelor of Arts at the University of Ilorin in 1988. Several years later, he obtained Master of Arts in literature at the same University.

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After this, Abdul Rasheed traveled to Edmonton, Canada, to the University of Alberta where he obtained a Ph.D. in comparative literature.

3. Sarah Alade

• Full name: Sarah Omotunde Alade OON
• Date of birth: Not publicly available
• University of Ilorin Degree: PhD in Management Science (Operations Research)
• Profession: Economist, Former Deputy Governor (CBN), Special Adviser
• Legacy: Pioneered key economic policies in Nigeria.

Sara is an economist and a former Governor of Central Bank. She took up position after the suspension of Lamido Sanusi in 2014 and stayed in charge until Godwin Emefiele took over. Sarah Alade Ph.D. in Management Science at University of Ilorin in 1991.

2. Ezekiel Adebiyi

• Full name: Ezekiel Adebiyi
• Date of birth: 28 July 1970
• University of Ilorin Degree: Bachelor's in Mathematics (1987-1991)
• Profession: Bioinformatics Professor and Research Scientist
• Legacy: Pioneered bioinformatics in West Africa

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Ezekiel is a prospective and successful computation biologist and researcher, one of the most prominent research scientists in this field in Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Ilorin in 1991 and received an award as the most promising and outstanding students of the entire University.

1. Femi Adebayo

• Full name: Femi Adebayo Salami
• Date of birth: December 31, 1978
• University of Ilorin Degree: Bachelor's degree in Law
• Profession: Actor, Film Director, Lawyer, Producer
• Legacy: Iconic figure in Nigerian cinema and culture.

Femi Adebayo is one of the most famous alumni of the University. The Nigerian actor studied Law before he went into acting and became one of the most prominent stars. Now, this Yoruba celebrity is a successful actor, producer, and film director. He received an award as the Best Yoruba Actor from the famous Afro Hollywood.

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What does University of Ilorin Alumni Association do?

The University of Ilorin Alumni Association, as part of the Endowment and Alumni Relations Unit, focuses on maintaining connections with graduates. It also fosters a sense of community, and supporting the university's development through activities like alumni registration, events, and fundraising.

What is the University of Ilorin graduate's journey?

A University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) graduate's journey typically involves rigorous academic study. There might be some financial challenges, and often culminates into a degree and a successful career, contributing to the Nigerian economy.

What are the courses in University of Ilorin?

There are many courses at the university. You can find your preferred course in the list of courses in University of Ilorin. Here are some few in each faculty:

Faculty of Arts

• English Language and Literature
• History and International Studie

Faculty of Education

• Educational Management
• Health and Physical Education

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Faculty of Social Sciences

• Economics
• Political Science

Faculty of Science

• Biochemistry
• Computer Science

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Law

• Law

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Nursing Science

Which celebrity graduated from Unilorin?

Femi Adebayo and Nkem Owoh are well-known Nollywood actors who graduated from the University of Ilorin (Unilorin).

Is University of Ilorin accredited?

Yes, the University of Ilorin is legally recognized and institutionally accredited by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria (NUC).

Is University of Ilorin a good school?

Yes. University of Ilorin is ranked 1201 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education and has an overall score of 4.1 stars. This indicates satisfaction by students and high academic standards.

How much is the University of Ilorin?

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) charges range between N114,720 and N215,820 for new students and N52,700 and N91,430 for returning students, depending on the course of study.

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What is the slogan for University of Ilorin?

The University of Ilorin's slogan, or motto, is "Probitas Doctrina," which translates to "Character and Learning".

University of Ilorin alumni are prominent figures in many industries not just in Nigeria but also abroad. The university has produced Vice-Chancellors, famous actors, poets and writers among others. This is a testament to the excellence of the education at the University of Ilorin.

Legit.ng recently published an article on Best polytechnics in Nigeria: Top 10 educational institutions. A polytechnic is an institution of higher education that specializes in technical and vocational education.

They are great alternatives to colleges and universities, especially if you plan to take increasingly lucrative technical courses. The best polytechnics in Nigeria provide hands-on training in different fields.

Source: Legit.ng