On this day four (4) years ago, 18th December 2020, the Governing Council of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) led by the third Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Senator Chris Adighije, PhD, announced Professor Olayemi Akinwumi as the third Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, following a keenly contested and rigorous recruitment process that had about 80 Professors applying for the plum job. Check it out here https://fulokoja.edu.ng/news-page.php?i=346&a=breaking-professor-olayemi-durotimi-akinwumi-emerged-3rd-ful-vc&fbclid=IwAR1_o7AV4fR2E8kGnhpmj_nt4D12tbBCZrWbpR8Ush-fzgYtj9Bm0dmp9AE

The erudite Professor of African History and Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), who was, until his appointment, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), officially assumed office on the 15th of February 2021 after the successful end of the tenure of the second Vice-Chancellor, Professor Angela Freeman Miri. He is a former President of the HSN - the first Academic Society in Nigeria and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Letters (NAL).

Professor Akinwumi along with his supportive management team has since raised the bar of the Institution, repositioning it as the best among the nine (9) Federal Universities established in Nigeria in 2011 by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and adjudged as one of the fastest-growing Universities in Nigeria.

His visionary and transformative leadership has attracted phenomenal developments to the thirteen-year-old University within a short time. When the realms of office were handed over to him in February 2021, the Vice-Chancellor, who is a recipient of the prestigious German Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, unveiled a clear-cut vision plan to serve as a roadmap for his administration in a bid to put the young Institution, that was hitherto lagging behind among its peers, on the path of greatness for the next five (5) years.

In less than four (4) years in office, Professor Akinwumi’s administration has not only lived up to expectations in pursuit of the realization of this vision plan but has also ensured that FUL evolved into a citadel of academic excellence that is rapidly growing to become one of the top Universities in Nigeria and globally.

Under his pragmatic leadership, the Federal University Lokoja, which is strategically situated at the confluence of the majestic Rivers Niger and Benue - Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital, has gained traction and visibility both nationally and internationally. It has developed significantly in all facets with greater opportunities and prospects.

Professor Akinwumi's iconic and purposeful leadership trajectory at the Federal University Lokoja began with his courageous step to fully move the University from the take-off site (Adankolo Campus now College of Health Sciences) to its permanent site at Felele to give room for further development and programme expansion.

Not minding the dwindling allocation from the federal government, the VC immediately commenced the process of introducing new academic programmes that are highly competitive but capital-intensive, such as MB;BS, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Engineering, Law, and Agriculture, among others. 

His remarkable achievements in terms of infrastructural development within the last four (4) are glaringly visible to everyone who has recently visited the main campus of the University. Interestingly, the permanent site has become a construction site with several projects springing up speedily while some are either completed or near completion. He attracted many of these laudable projects through his personal efforts and influence and, thus nicknamed Mr. Project!

To supplement the Federal government's intervention and low funding, the Vice-Chancellor embarked on an aggressive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive by establishing FUL Felele Consult Ltd and other business avenues to generate more internal revenue that would be plunged into developing other critical aspects of the University as there was no IGR apart from student charges before he assumed office.

Professor Akinwumi is arguably one of the most humble, hardworking, and committed Vice-Chancellors Nigeria has ever produced! His uncommon humility, penchant for excellence, and dynamic leadership style earned him respect and support from both public and private individuals/organizations, endeared by his unassuming and sterling leadership qualities.

Notwithstanding the daunting challenges and the monumental achievements witnessed by the University under his visionary administration, Professor Akinwumi is not resting on his oars as his magic wand is still performing wonders! He has continued to galvanize more support from Kogi State indigenes and well-meaning Nigerians to move FUL to an enviable height, firing from all cylinders to consolidate his previous giant strides. It's hoped that the remaining one year of his tenure will usher in more notable transformation that will make FUL a cynosure of all eyes.

You can access the infographic compilation (in PDF) of some of the modest achievements of Professor Olayemi Akinwumi as published in Daily Trust Newspaper on Saturday, October 26, 2024 (pages 14 & 15) on the University website here https://fulokoja.edu.ng/assets/media/docs/infographic-compilation-of-prof-olayemi-akinwumis-scorecards-and-achievements-oct2024_1730824027.pdf

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