From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye has officially assumed office as the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), pledging to elevate the institution to world-class standards.Inaugurated on Monday by the Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Professor Zubairu Abdallah, Ibileye outlined a vision focused on academic excellence, research innovation, digital transformation, and community engagement.“
My administration will prioritize nurturing globally competitive students and staff within an environment defined by transparency, inclusiveness, and collaboration,” he said. He added that his mission includes expanding infrastructure, strengthening research capacity, and promoting sustainable development initiatives.
A pioneer staff member of FUL with over three decades in the Nigerian university system, Ibileye expressed readiness to build on the institution’s existing achievements. He paid tribute to former Vice Chancellors, including Professors Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Angela Miri, and Olayemi Akinwumi, for laying the foundation that has supported the university’s growth.
Professor Abdallah described the immediate past VC, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, as the “Father of Modern FUL,” highlighting the legacy of academic and infrastructural development left for Ibileye to consolidate.
In his farewell address, Akinwumi thanked staff and students for their support and urged them to extend the same cooperation to the new VC. Professor Ibileye, who joined FUL in 2012 as Head of the English Department, emphasized continuity and development as key priorities for his tenure.
