UNILORIN Announces 297th Inaugural Lecture: Prof. Fajonyomi to Speak on Transformative Adult Learning
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has officially announced its 297th Inaugural Lecture, a cornerstone of the institution’s 2025/2026 academic calendar. This event continues a legacy of public scholarship where the university’s most distinguished professors present their career-long research to the academic community and the general public.
The upcoming lecture, titled “From Wobbling to Thriving Development: The Transformative Power of Adult Learning and Education for Sustainable Futures,” addresses the critical intersection of non-formal education and national stability. It explores how empowering the adult population with functional literacy and lifelong learning can move a society from inconsistent growth toward a resilient, thriving future.
Meet the Lecturer: Professor Ayodele Anthony Fajonyomi
The lecture will be delivered by Professor Ayodele Anthony Fajonyomi, a prominent scholar from the Department of Adult and Primary Education, Faculty of Education. Professor Fajonyomi is a veteran academic whose research interests focus on the economics of adult education, community mobilization, and conflict resolution management.
Having spent decades investigating the reasons for poor performance among adult literacy learners and the motivating factors for professional retraining, Professor Fajonyomi brings a wealth of field experience to this presentation. His discourse is expected to provide actionable insights for educational planners and policymakers looking to achieve sustainable development goals through inclusive education.
Event Details and Protocol
To ensure a smooth and dignified proceeding, the university has released the following logistical schedule:
- Date: Thursday, 19th February 2026
- Time: 5:00 p.m. prompt
- Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Main Campus, University of Ilorin
- Chairman: Professor W. O. Egbewole, SAN (Vice-Chancellor, UNILORIN)
All guests and members of the university community are advised to be seated by 4:45 p.m. to observe the formal academic procession. This event is open to stakeholders in the education sector, government officials, and the general public who are interested in the evolving landscape of sustainable development.
The Role of Adult Education in National Growth
Professor Fajonyomi’s lecture comes at a time when global development agendas are increasingly recognizing that formal schooling for children is insufficient if the current adult workforce remains stagnant.
The concept of "wobbling development" often refers to the economic and social volatility experienced when a large portion of the citizenry lacks the critical thinking and technical skills needed for the modern economy. By shifting the focus to "thriving development," the lecture will likely argue for a systemic integration of adult learning into the national policy framework to ensure that no demographic is left behind in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
