INTERVIEW WITH DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR DR. O. A. OMOTESHO, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA

Background: The University of Ilorin, founded in 1975 in Nigeria, has evolved from 3 to 16 faculties, becoming the country's most sought-after institution for the past two decades. Aims: To document the institutional evolution, identify most demanded programs, assess scientific output, examine internationalization strategies, and understand strategic development objectives. Methods: Structured interview with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Olubumi Abayomi Omotesho, following a standardized protocol covering historical, academic, scientific, and strategic aspects of the institution, under Creative Commons license format. Results: The university expanded to 16 faculties in 49 years. Most demanded programs are Medicine and Nursing, followed by Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Accounting. Areas with highest scientific output: Medicine, Biological/Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering. It offers 340 postgraduate programs with approximately 7,523 students. There is dedicated infrastructure for internationalization, with plans for international accommodations. Discussion: The predominance of healthcare courses reflects global employability trends. Research aligned with Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates contemporary vision. The institutional goal (number one in Nigeria, top 10 in Africa, top 500 globally) shows a measurable strategic approach. Commitment to internationalization aligns with global education trends. Conclusions: The institution exemplifies an evolving African university focused on academic excellence, scientific relevance, and internationalization. The prioritization of student-centered development, clear positioning goals, and international collaboration initiatives establish solid foundations for its contribution to regional and global knowledge.