The University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has announced the appointment of Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi as its new Vice Chancellor. The decision was ratified during the institution’s 80th Extraordinary Governing Council Meeting, chaired by Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso.
Professor Fawehinmi, who currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian British University in Asa, Abia State, will officially assume office on February 10, 2026, for a non-renewable five-year term.
Leadership Transition
The appointment comes after a period of interim leadership under Professor Mathew Adamu, whose tenure has now been extended until Fawehinmi takes office. The university had previously faced administrative turbulence following the exit of former VC Professor Aisha Maikudi, prompting calls for stability and reform.
Professor Fawehinmi is widely respected in academic circles for his work in higher education policy and institutional development. His leadership is expected to usher in a new era of innovation, research excellence, and student-centered governance.
Institutional Rebranding
The university’s recent renaming to Yakubu Gowon University reflects a broader effort to reposition the institution as a national hub for academic excellence and historical legacy. The Governing Council emphasized that the new leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the university’s future direction.
Sources: Leadership The Punch Newspapers
