Dr Joseph Onoja, Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has described University of Ilorin campus as similar to Yankari National Park because of its natural environment.
Onoja spoke in Ilorin during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and the NCF to establish a Conservation Park within the University campus.
He said the park will serve as a practical hub for conservation activities, biodiversity protection, and environmental research.
Onoja commended the University of Ilorin for its longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that the University campus reminded him of the Yankari National Park.
He commended the natural ambience of the University and its conservation – friendly environment.
Onoja observed that the consistent adherence of the University to environmental standards, sustained by successive administrations, has positioned it as a model for conservation compliance.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, and Onoja, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
Egbewole thanked the NCF for its commendation of the University, stating that the positive feedback would further motivate the institution to deepen its commitment to environmental sustainability.
He noted that the University considers the partnership a critical step towards securing the future, because environmental stewardship remains central to global development.
Egbewole assured the NCF that the University was deliberate in its actions and is fully committed to ensuring the success and sustainability of the collaboration.
While explaining that the University places high value on the partnership and is determined to nurture it into a long-lasting relationship, he added that students of the institution have already been sensitised to take environmental issues seriously.
Egbewole expressed confidence that the presence of NCF would further strengthen their engagement and instil deeper conservation values.
While recalling his previous visit to the university in 2017, Onoja said the noticeable improvements on campus demonstrate steady progress.
The NCF Director-General explained that the Foundation, established in 1980, envisions a Nigeria where development thrives in harmony with nature, adding that the essence of the partnership is to formalise and strengthen the conservation practices already being implemented by the University.
Onoja added that the partnership will create a platform where NCF and its partners can demonstrate practical conservation initiatives.
He said that the University of Ilorin was carefully selected as the first location for such collaboration, following positive assessments by the technical team of the NCF.
Onoja said that the collaboration is designed to institutionalise conservation efforts on campus and provide a structured framework for promoting environmental responsibility among students, staff, and the wider University population.
