The Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja), Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, and the Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Philip Dahida, expressed their excitement over the commencement of construction for the permanent site of the Abuja Leadership Centre of Excellence in Public Governance, initiated by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Their enthusiasm was evident during the groundbreaking ceremony held in Jahi, Abuja, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The ceremony featured the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr. Sonny Echono, who officially launched the project alongside Professor Fawehinmi, Professor Dahida, and other dignitaries.
In his address, Dr. Echono emphasized that the goal is to establish the Abuja Leadership Centre as a key destination for every leader visiting Nigeria. He identified leadership as a critical element of national development, asserting that the quality of leadership directly impacts the success or failure of nations. He further explained that effective leadership involves the collective use of intellectual, human, and material resources, which, when efficiently coordinated, can drive national development.
Dr. Echono announced that TETFund plans to commission approximately 467 projects across tertiary institutions nationwide by October. He expressed hope that the Abuja Leadership Centre would become a world-class facility that could cultivate leaders for all sectors of the economy, hosting globally recognized speeches, conventions, and declarations.
He urged the contractors involved in the project to meet the challenge, emphasizing the expectation for a facility that meets international standards. He assured that TETFund would allocate funds for both construction and the provision of high-quality furniture and equipment.
According to him, the Centre is intended to be more than just a conference hall; it should be a premier leadership facility where visiting heads of state and their delegations would feel at home, comparable to similar institutions worldwide.
Dr. Echono praised the leadership of Yakubu Gowon University and the Centre for the stability and direction it has provided, vowing continued collaboration to fulfill the vision of the university’s founders. He stressed that the university must continue to promote national unity, integration, and excellence, particularly in leadership and governance.
He noted that while it would be impractical for TETFund to directly commission all projects, at least 50 iconic projects would be selected across Nigeria, ensuring a minimum of two to three projects in each state.
Earlier in the event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Fawehinmi remarked that the groundbreaking ceremony marks a new chapter in the university’s partnership with TETFund. He stated that the Abuja Leadership Centre would serve as a hub for public governance and leadership, aimed at training future leaders who will play vital roles in policy formulation and national development.
Professor Fawehinmi commended Dr. Echono’s leadership at TETFund, highlighting how the agency has transformed tertiary education through enhancements in physical infrastructure, staff development, libraries, and other essential facilities. He expressed confidence that TETFund would ensure the timely completion and proper equipping of the Abuja Leadership Centre for its intended purposes.
He assured that the university would fully utilize the facility and described the project as a historic intervention that will be remembered for years to come.
“Today, we further solidify our long-standing relationship, and we are proud to establish this Abuja Leadership Centre as a centre of excellence for public governance and leadership. It will become a national hub for training future leaders who will engage in policy-making for the development of our country,” he added.
“We appreciate Dr. Echono and his team for their continued support. We value our long-term partnership and look forward to nurturing it in the future. Your leadership of TETFund has transformed it into one of the most effective agencies for tertiary education in Nigeria, and we are very proud of your achievements.”
On his part, the Director of Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Dahida who lauded the TETFund for commencing the construction of its permanent site, averred that the construction of the structure signifies the physical birth of a vision, one rooted in the conviction that leadership is the most critical resource for good governance, institutional excellence, and national development.
Dahida revealed that the Centre was established to serve as a hub for thought leadership, capacity development, policy dialogue, and ethical reorientation, not only for the University of Abuja but for Nigeria and the wider African region. Adding that the Centre is also designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, academia and policy, and leadership ideals with real-world application.
He charged the contractor to execute the project strictly in line with the approved specifications, timelines, and agreed standards. Stressing that the facility must reflect world-class quality, professionalism, and durability, while public funds entrusted to this project must translate into tangible value, accountability, and excellence.
“Today marks far more than the commencement of a construction project. It signifies the physical birth of a vision, one rooted in the conviction that leadership is the most critical resource for good governance, institutional excellence, and national development.
“The Abuja Leadership Centre, TETFund Centre of excellence, was established to serve as a hub for thought leadership, capacity development, policy dialogue, and ethical reorientation, not only for the University of Abuja but for Nigeria and the wider African region.
“At a time when nations are confronted with complex governance challenges, evolving public expectations, and rapid socio-economic change, the need for principled, competent, and forward-looking leaders has never been more urgent.
“I wish to express our deepest and most sincere appreciation to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and in particular to the Executive Secretary- Dr. Sunday Echono, for the approval and support that made this project possible.
“I also wish to specially commend the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde for his exemplary leadership, swift action, and unwavering support. From assumption of office, the Vice-Chancellor has demonstrated uncommon commitment to institutional growth and innovation.
“As we formally break ground today, I take this opportunity to enjoin the contractor to execute this project strictly in line with the approved specifications, timelines, and agreed standards. This facility must reflect world-class quality, professionalism, and durability. Public funds entrusted to this project must translate into tangible value, accountability, and excellence,” Dahida warned.
