The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Abdulrasheed Garba, has said that the stable academic calendar maintained by the University of Ilorin has "placed the University on a pedestal that is higher than any other university in the country." The NECO Registrar stated this last Wednesday (February 3, 2016) when he visited the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), in his office along with some staff of the examination body.

Speaking through the Kwara State Coordinator of the Council, Mr. Olapade Gbenga, the Registrar described the Vice-Chancellor as a great achiever and commended the University's management team for making the institution a centre of academic excellence.

He noted that Prof. Ambali was among the three Vice-Chancellors that were honoured by the Federal Government during last year's National Honours Award ceremony in Abuja. This, he attributed to the exemplary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, adding that the ranking of the University of Ilorin in recent times is a reflection of the leadership quality of Prof. Ambali.

The NECO boss pleaded with the management of the University of Ilorin to consider the re-opening of the University's admission portal for a short period after its usual August 15 closure, to give NECO candidates some time to upload their results and stand a chance of gaining admission into the University. Prof. Garba, who presented a written request to this effect to the Vice-Chancellor, explained that NECO examination results are released in September because the NECO normally waits for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to first conduct its examinations.

In his response, Prof. Ambali, who expressed happiness over the encomiums poured on him and the University by the NECO boss, said, "NECO, as an examination body, has examined us and we are glad to have come out in flying colours". The Vice-Chancellor then promised to look into the request of the Council for an extension of the portal closure deadline, pointing out, however, that for the University to maintain a stable academic calendar, it has to keep to its academic schedule. He disclosed that the University is expanding its programmes in order to be able to admit more students.

Joining the Vice-Chancellor to receive the visitors were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. N. Y. S. Ijaiya; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI), Prof. G. Olatunji; the Registrar, Mr. E. D. Obafemi; the University Librarian, Dr. J. Omoniyi; the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Abayomi Omotesho; and the Deputy Bursar, Mr. I. O. Ogunbiyi. Other NECO officials that accompanied the State Coordinator on the visit included Mr. Ajibola Bolade, Mrs. Bukola Alloh, Mr. Sheu Akorede, Mrs. A. Tunde-Kareem and Mrs. Alhasan O. Abosede.