The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Is-haq Oloyode, has emphasised the importance of collaboration and contribution among the nation's varsities towards achieving improved academic goals.

Speaking on Tuesday at the maiden edition of the Consortium Conference of Universities in Kwara State held at the University of Ilorin, Oloyede reiterated that coming together of these universities based in Kwara State was the source needed for them to collectively achieve unbeatable achievements that would foster the production of immeasurable outputs in the academic fields.

This observation was collectively adopted by other speakers including the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Mr. Chris Maiyaki; Professor Musbau Akanji, former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and LUBCON Oil chairman, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, at the consortium that centred on the collaboration of the eight universities in Kwara State.

The universities are Kwara State University, Al-Hikmah University, Landmark University, Ojaja University (formerly Crown-Hill University) Eyenkorin, Summit University, Offa, Ahman Pategi University, Patigi and Thomas Adewumi University, Oko and the host, University of Ilorin to form the KU8.

Oloyede said, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. The idea of synergy and partnership is definitely in sync with the visions of the proprietors to advance scholarship and promote development. It is the right way to go and I believe this initiative will have a multiplier effect on other universities in other states and places.”

According to Jani Ibrahim, KU8 should innovate conceptions that will foster university innovation and industry collaboration to aid Nigeria's economic recovery and bring universities into focus.

Also speaking, Professor Akanji said that collaboration of KU8 would foster funding opportunities, ease communication and uplift younger members through churning out individual strength.

Executive Secretary National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, represented by Dr Noel Saliu, also reiterated that the KU8 if well managed would increase the prowess of Nigerian universities internationally.

According to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, who was represented by Professor Jelili Ojuade, Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University, Eyenkorin, Ilorin, “Gone were the days of solo efforts, individuality and unhealthy competitions.

“The time has come to adopt a system approach in which all parts are interrelated, interconnected and interdependent with the input of one being the output of the other and vice-versa.”