Centre Applauds Fawehimi as 8th UniAbuja VC

Raheem Akingbolu

The Executive Director of El‑Mavericky Centre for Educational Research and Development, Sulayman Nafiu, has hailed the appointment of Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehimi as the 8th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), describing it as “a right step in the right direction.”

In a statement, he noted that Prof. Fawehimi’s emergence has finally laid to rest the series of crises that have rocked the institution in recent times. According to the Director, the transparent and credible process that led to his appointment, which stands as one of the fairest in the selection of a Vice‑Chancellor in the Nigerian university system, is a testament to the integrity and commitment of the Governing Council under Senator LanreTejuoso, whose doggedness, vision, and transparent leadership have restored confidence in the university’s administration.

The Director also offered a commendation to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Visitor to the University, for upholding fairness, transparency, and due process. He further commends the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, for his supportive role in ensuring the highest standards of integrity.

“We commend President Tinubu for allowing merit to triumph over political considerations. We equally salute the Governing Council for its exemplary leadership. The emergence of Prof. Fawehimi marks a new dawn of stability, academic excellence, and renewed hope for UniAbuja.”

The statement reads: “The Executive Director of El-Mavericky Centre for Educational Research and Development congratulates Prof. Hakeem Fawehimi on his well‑deserved appointment and expresses optimism that his wealth of experience, academic depth, and leadership acumen will further reposition UniAbuja as one of Nigeria’s foremost centers of learning and research excellence.”

Finally, the Director urged all stakeholders—staff, students, and host communities—to give the new Vice‑Chancellor their full support and cooperation in the collective quest to move the institution forward, adding that the University is poised to benefit from his vast experience in university administration, having been a Vice‑Chancellor at Nigerian British University.