The University of Abuja has formally inaugurated Professor Babatunde Fawehinmi as its eighth substantive vice-chancellor, marking the beginning of a new administrative era for the institution. His assumption of office was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by Habib Yakoob, the university’s acting director of information and university relations.

A Transition Following Rigorous Selection

According to the institution, Fawehinmi’s emergence followed a rigorous, transparent selection exercise conducted by the university’s governing council. He succeeds Professor Mathew Adamu, who has steered the university in an acting capacity since August 11, 2025.

Upon resuming duty at the main campus, Fawehinmi expressed gratitude to the governing council, senate, management, staff, students, and the alumni community for their support throughout the transition process. He pledged to run an inclusive administration focused on strengthening academic excellence, expanding research output, fostering innovation, and enhancing institutional stability.

“It is my hope that with your support, this institution will achieve its vision of becoming a world-class university,” he said.

Warm Reception and Institutional Optimism

Yakoob noted that staff and students had the opportunity to interact with the new vice-chancellor, many of whom expressed optimism about the direction the university is set to take under his leadership.

Although formally appointed by the 11th governing council on November 7, Fawehinmi had initially been scheduled to assume office on February 10, 2026. His early resumption, therefore, signals an accelerated transition aimed at ensuring continuity in governance.

A Scholar with Broad Academic Depth

Professor Fawehinmi brings more than three decades of academic and administrative experience to the role. A professor of clinical anatomy and biomedical anthropology, he holds a BMedSc and MBBS from the University of Port Harcourt, an MSc in Medical Anthropology from the University of London, and an Doctor of Medicine (MD).

His qualifications, research output, and international engagements have been widely recognised, positioning him as a scholar with both local insight and global exposure.

With his tenure now underway, expectations are high that Fawehinmi will help steer the University of Abuja closer to its strategic aspirations of becoming a leading institution of higher learning in Africa.