The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of General Abdullahi Mohammed, GCON, former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
General Mohammed passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Abuja after an illness related to old age.
In a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, Prof. Egbewole described the late General as one of the founding fathers of the University and an illustrious son of Nigeria whose contributions to national development and the growth of UNILORIN remain invaluable.
The Vice Chancellor recalled that the University’s initial operations began in a building owned by the late General at GRA, Ilorin, which also served as the residence of the pioneer Vice Chancellor. He noted that the leasing of the building to the University at its inception provided a lifeline at a crucial stage when the institution was in dire need of suitable accommodation for its take-off.
Prof. Egbewole also recounted General Mohammed’s administrative support to the University in the early 2000s during his tenure as Chief of Staff to President Obasanjo. He said the deceased was instrumental in supporting the then administration of Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem in sustaining uninterrupted academic activities at the University despite external pressures.
The Vice Chancellor lamented that General Mohammed’s death came at a time when the University was preparing for its Golden Jubilee celebration, adding that his passing was a great loss to both the University and the nation.
Prof. Egbewole commiserated with the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Alfanla Adangba family of Ilorin over the loss of the elder statesman.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the late General’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljanat Firdaus.
