•Appoints Aids, Instantly, to Support Him to Hit Ground Running
By Waziri Isa Adam (Group Editor-in-chief)
A distinguished scholar and renowned Alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, who was inaugurated yesterday as the Fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja has revealed his policy direction, promising to steer affairs of the University using King Solomon’s Wisdom, being Solomon, but not King, himself.
Professor Ibileye who spoke during his inauguration at the Falele Main Campus of the University, started his speech by commending his three predecessors whose stewardship laid and strengthened the foundations upon which he is now expected to build, admitted that, “each administration has written a chapter in the life of this university. My administration is not to erase those chapters, but to preserve their gains, learn from their limitations, and carry the story forward with clarity, discipline and restraint.”
“Leadership, in an institution of this nature, is a relay, not a rupture. It is a continuum of responsibility in which one hand receives the baton, steadies it, and passes it forward with care. No Vice-Chancellor begins from nothing, and non governs as though history started with them. Each administration inherits assets, challenges, lessons, and unfinished work. Wisdom lies in preserving what works, correcting what must be corrected, and strengthening what the future demands”, he admitted, stressing that, as Solomon, he is going to administer the University with the wisdom of King Solomon.
Professor Ibileye assured hundreds of the audience that attended the inauguration, and entire members of the University Community that, “I come to this office prepared, with over three decades of service within the Nigerian University system, and as a pioneer staff member of the Federal University Lokoja. I have known this Institution in its earliest days, when facilities were modest, structures were still forming, and conviction had to compensate for scarcity. I have witnessed its struggles, its progress, its aspirations, and its resilience. This familiarity is not a privilege, it is a responsibility, one I accept with gratitude to God, who orders seasons and entrusts duties according to His wisdom.”
On his policy direction, or the principles that will guide his administration, Professor Ibileye stressed that, though his leadership will be consultative, ” it will be decisive, it will be the one that listens, but does not drift; a leadership that is firm, but always fair. Decisions will be guided by systems, not personalities. Discipline will be upheld with justice, not arbitrariness. Excellence will be encouraged, recognised and rewarded.”
He further disclosed that his administration will entrust responsibilities purely on the basis of merit, capacity and readiness to serve. “Appointments will not be symbolic, they will be purposeful, because leadership roles exist to deliver value to the institution, not to confer status”, he emphasized.
Professor Ibileye continued,”My administration will be anchored on academic quality and credibility as the core identify of the University; stability of the academic calendar as a measure of institutional seriousness, infrastructure development through partnerships, innovation and prudent resource use; staff, students welfare and security as an investment in productivity and morale; and diversification of revenue, particularly through strengthened University consults and responsible enterprise.”
He stated that academic excellence is not accidental, it is the outcome of discipline, standards and respect for time-honored academic culture; it is for this reason therefore that, “quality assurance and compliance will remain central to our work, not as an administrative ritual, but as a shared academic responsibility.”
He stressed that,”We will deepen collegial governance and strengthen the committee system as the engine of decision-making. Responsibility and governance must sit close to the work, in departments, faculties, and units, guided by trust, accountability, and clear institutional values.”
“We will move deliberately. We will move sustainably. And, we will move together, trusting God to guide our efforts and crown our labour with wisdom” he stated.
In a bold and practical demonstration of his readiness to hit the ground running and to succeed in the implementation of his ambitious vision, the Vice-chancellor, took the gathering by surprise when he announced the approval of some key appointments in his office with whom he will officially commence work with today – 17th, February, 2026.
The new appointees include Mr Abdul-Aleem Haruna, Esq, who is going to serve as the Vice-chancellor’s Senior Special Adviser on Corporate Governance, Strategy, and Legal Matters. Mr Haruna’s experience in University Governance and regulatory compliance, according to the Vice-Chancellor, “will support our commitment to sound institutional processes and disciplined reforms.
Also appointed is Alhassan Sheikh Ibrahim. Ibrahim has been appointed as Special Adviser on Financial Regulations, Economic Affairs and Revenue Mobilisation.
The Vice-chancellor revealed that as the University’s pioneer Bursar, Mr Ibrahim brings institutional memory and financial expertise that will reinforce our commitment to financial prudence, regulatory compliance, and revenue sustainability.
Professor Ibileye revealed that to ensure clarity of Institutional voice and disciplined documentation, he has approved the establishment of the Directorate of Strategic Communications and Corporate Documentation within the Vice-Chancellor’s office to be headed by Dr Tosin Olagunju. Dr Tosin will be supported by Mr Chris Yahaya, Dr Simon Sheyigari, Dr Baba Isaac Ibrahim and Mr Daniel Nwankwo.
While Chris Yahaya will take care of Digital Media and Communications, Dr Simon Sheyigari will be in charge of Conventional Media and Publications, Dr Baba Isaac Ibrahim will be in charge of Executive Documentation, and Mr Daniel Nwankwo will be in charge of Protocol.
Also appointed is Mr Sunday Agada. Mr Agada, has been appointed as Executive ICT and Digital Systems Officer in the office of the Vice-chancellor.
According to the Vice-chancellor, Mr Agada’s position is a specialised executive support role designed to ensure, secure efficient, and confidential digital operations in support of executive functions, online examination and institutional capacity-building initiatives.
“Supporting the day-to-day coordination of the Office, Mr Yakpe Tsebam will serve as Personal Assistant to the Vice-chancellor, while Mr Adamu Abdullahi has been appointed as Personal Assistant on Community Engagement and Resource Mobilisation to strengthen our interface with stakeholders and partners”, he added.