By Mohammed Ishaq
Many Nigerians on social media have expressed mixed reactions to the award for Researcher of the Year (2024/2025 session) given to Dr AbdulGafar Fahm of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
According to a statement released on the university’s official X handle, the vice chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole, presented the car keys to the awardee on March 24, 2026, as part of the university’s tradition.
The award, which has generated commendations, has also been criticised by many Nigerians. As some have faulted the university for giving a used car, a few others have questioned the contribution of religious research to the university and Nigeria.
For instance, a Facebook user named Fisayo Ajala suggested research grants or sponsorship to attend International conferences instead of a “tokunbo Corolla car”.
Also, an X user with the username @timakanni commented, “Nigeria !!! An academic in the Department of Religious Studies as the best researcher for the University of Ilorin !!! This is [a] very interesting and absurd priority in this technology age.”
However, Dr AbdulGafar Fahm, whose research focuses on cultural studies, interfaith relations and other topics, is just the latest recipient of the car gift. Other winners, such as Dr (now Professor) Akorede Mudathir of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Professor Adeyinka Tella of the Department of Library and Information Science, received cars in 2019 and 2023, respectively.
According to UNILORIN’s official staff profile, Dr Fahm earned a PhD in Islamic Spiritual Culture and Contemporary Society from the International Islamic University Malaysia and has over 50 publications, more than 1,000 citations and an h-index of 9. A search on Google Scholar by The Daily Reality revealed 1500+ citations, h-index 10 and i10-index 15.