By Muhammad Mustapha
Contrary to the rumours making the rounds that not less than 85 Professors have applied for the position of the Vice-chancellor stool of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Education Monitor can now authoritatively report that those jostling to succeed Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi are 35
According to our source, the process for shortlisting of candidates which kicked off yesterday (Friday) is expected to end today (Saturday), to be followed by distribution of letters of invitation to successfully shortlisted candidates on Monday next week.
The source added that December 15th and 16th have been slated for interview of shortlisted candidates.
The process which is expected to be concluded between December 15th and 16th, if there are no undue and external interferences, will see the emergence of the successor of Professor Akinwumi on December 16th, whose 5 – year comes up February 2026.
The competition promises to be fierce, with each candidate fighting hard spiritually and by lobbying highly influential Nigerians to influence his emergence.
The selection process is expected to be rigorous and transparent, and will test the candidates’ leadership skills, academic excellence, and vision for the university.
The successful candidate will be tasked with steering the university towards achieving its goals and objectives.
As the university prepares to welcome a new Vice-Chancellor, stakeholders are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the selection process, which they hope would be free and fair.
The new VC will play a critical role in shaping the university’s future and ensuring its continued growth and development.
The Federal University Lokoja has made significant strides in recent years, particularly under the 5 – year impactful stewardship of the outgoing Vice-chancellor, Professor Akinwumi.
It would be recalled that the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullah, recently debunked the rumours that he has anointed a particular candidate to succeed Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinyemi.
The Pro-chancellor who emphasized his commitment to create a fair environment for all aspiring Vice-chancellors, assured that his team’s credibility and dedication to unbiased processes, will never be compromised under whatever guise.
Professor Abdullah emphasized his commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the university’s appointment processes. “We are committed to following, religiously, the rules and processes guiding the appointment of a Vice-chancellor for the University”, he added.
The Pro-chancellor stressed that since his appointment, he has been urging his fellow council members to shun any act that will compromise their integrity, especially in the process of appointing the University’s Vice-chancellor, so that their names will be written in gold as the most transparent set of council in the history of the University.
He advised all stakeholders of the University, particularly contenders of the coveted and exalted stool to take them into confidence and to pray for them to achieve their desire to appoint a Vice-chancellor that has all it takes to move the University to enviable heights.