By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
A new chapter has begun at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) as Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye officially assumes office as the institution’s fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor, promising a bold transformation anchored on excellence, innovation, and measurable societal impact.
Speaking at his inauguration ceremony held at the Felele Campus in Lokoja, Prof. Ibileye outlined a forward-looking vision to position the university among globally competitive institutions through cutting-edge research, disciplined administration, and a culture of shared responsibility.
Rather than being driven by timelines, he said his leadership would focus on clarity of purpose and strategic direction.
“I come to this office prepared,” he declared, referencing over three decades of experience within Nigeria’s university system and his role as a pioneer staff member of FUL. “This moment calls for collective commitment, institutional discipline, and clear processes that strengthen our system.”
His appointment was ratified by the university’s Governing Council chaired by Zubairu Tajo Abdallah after what was described as a transparent and merit-based selection process, in which he reportedly emerged top with a score of 91.9 percent.
A Professor of Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics, Ibileye pledged to nurture globally competitive students and staff within an enabling academic environment. He stressed that progress would depend on unity across all segments of the university community.
“No Vice-Chancellor succeeds alone. No university advances where responsibility is fragmented,” he noted, calling on the Governing Council, Senate, staff, students, unions, alumni, and the host community to embrace a renewed shared vision for FUL’s future.
An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Ibileye paid tribute to former Vice-Chancellors, including foundation VC Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Angela Freeman Miri, and his immediate predecessor, Olayemi Akinwumi.
He particularly commended Prof. Akinwumi’s tenure for strengthening infrastructure and laying durable foundations for institutional growth, describing those strides as “deliberate investments in the future.”
In his remarks, Prof. Abdallah described the inauguration as a milestone reflecting leadership continuity and institutional stability. He lauded Prof. Akinwumi as the “Father of Modern FUL,” citing gains in accreditation, infrastructure, and staff morale.
As he steps into office, Prof. Ibileye carries both the weight of expectation and the promise of renewal—signaling what many hope will be a defining era in FUL’s evolution toward global relevance.
