The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has achieved full automation of its administrative and academic processes, according to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN. This digital transformation aims to enhance institutional efficiency and streamline service delivery for students, staff, and other stakeholders.

Prof. Egbewole, who also serves as the Chairman of the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+) and Vice President (West Africa) of the Association of African Universities (AAU), disclosed that the shift to a paperless system was a core priority of his administration. He noted that while there was initial skepticism regarding the transition, the system is now widely celebrated for its positive impact.

Under the new fully automated regime, critical operations including student registration, academic records, staff leave management, and payment approvals are now handled digitally. The Vice Chancellor highlighted that the transition reached a major milestone on August 15, 2025, when Deans and Directors across the university officially began operating paperlessly.

A key feature of the upgrade is a digital dashboard that allows the Vice Chancellor to monitor university operations in real time. This tool provides instant data on student registration numbers and staff attendance, enabling seamless approvals and correspondences from any location, whether on campus or abroad.

Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), maintained that this technological advancement ensures that the university's administrative work continues efficiently while maintaining alignment with national financial platforms.

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.