KWASU Ilorin Emirate Staff Celebrate Prof. Na’Allah on UNILORIN Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Ilorin Emirate Staff at Kwara State University (KWASU), under the leadership of Professor Ibrahim Laro Abubakar, have congratulated Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah on his recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Ilorin.
The honour was conferred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during a ceremony held at the UNILORIN Auditorium as part of the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It recognizes Professor Na’Allah’s outstanding contributions to higher education in Africa and his global promotion of the UNILORIN brand.
In a statement signed by Dr. Abdullahi A. Bakare, General Secretary of the KWASU Ilorin Emirate Staff and made available to Daily Hibiscus news, the group described Professor Na’Allah as a beacon of academic excellence and a cultural ambassador whose career reflects the values of his Ilorin heritage.
“Professor Na’Allah’s rise from humble beginnings to global academic prominence is a testament to the enduring spirit and intellectual tradition of the Ilorin Emirate,” the statement read.
A 1988 graduate of UNILORIN, Professor Na’Allah is widely known for his pioneering research on Dadakuada, Ilorin’s traditional oral poetry. He later earned a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta, Canada, and became Chair of African-American Studies at Western Illinois University.
His return to Nigeria marked a historic moment as he was appointed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of KWASU—Nigeria’s first university conceptualized specifically for community development. Under his leadership (2009–2019), KWASU introduced Nigeria’s first programmes in Aeronautics and Astronautics and gained national recognition for its focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and ICT.
After completing his two terms at KWASU, Professor Na’Allah was appointed the 6th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, a position he held until June 30, 2024. With over 15 years of continuous service as vice-chancellor, he is now Nigeria’s longest-serving university head, surpassing the record held by Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe of ABU Zaria.
Often likened to legendary Ilorin scholars such as Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and Sheikh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiy, Professor Na’Allah is celebrated for blending classical Islamic scholarship with modern academic excellence.
In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, Professor Shehu Salau (Vice Chairman) and Mr. AbdulRasaq Sanni (PRO and Director of Alumni Relations, KWASU) presented a commemorative frame to Professor Na’Allah on behalf of the Emirate staff.
