UNILORIN gets full accreditation for Optometry programme

The Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) has given full accreditation to the Doctor of Optometry programme of the University of Ilorin.

A statement by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, made available to our correspondent in Ilorin on Wednesday, disclosed that this followed a re-accreditation exercise carried out by the Board on April 27 and 28.

In a letter dated May 2, which conveyed the development to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Registrar/CEO of ODORBN, Prof Ebele Uzodike, said that the full accreditation of the programme was for four academic sessions – 2022/2023 to 2026/2027.

“The Institution’s department of Optometry scored 80 per cent in the re-accreditation exercise.

“According to the comprehensive score sheet, the Department got 94.4 per cent in Academic Content; 84.4 per cent in Staffing; 74.1 per cent in Physical Facilities and 72.2 per cent in Library Facilities,” the statement added.

While congratulating the university on the feat, the board recommended that more academic staff should be employed; staff motivation be increased and there should be upscaling of facilities in view of increasing students’ intake.

The board also expressed its readiness for continuous synergy with the institution in the training of competent and highly skilled optometrists of international standard.

The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Department of Optometry, saying that “the feat is a clear indication that the system is working”.