Federal University Lokoja Celebrates Outgoing VC, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, with Double Book Launch

The Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre became a hub of academic and political distinction on Friday, February 13, 2026, as stakeholders gathered for the public presentation of two landmark publications honoring the transformative tenure of Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, the 3rd Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL).

The event, anchored by Dr. Stephen E. Adewumi and Professor Bassey Odom, saw the unveiling of a comprehensive biography and a personal memoir titled "Not a Walk in the Park." The memoir provides a transparent look into the complexities of leading a Nigerian university, documenting how Professor Akinwumi navigated severe funding constraints to revitalize infrastructure and institutional governance.

Attendees described the memoir as a "practical guide" for policymakers. Professor Akinwumi was lauded for his diplomatic leadership style, which prioritized strategic networking over confrontation, a trait that proved essential in resolving student protests and unifying a previously polarized campus.

The incoming 4th Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Professor Gbenga Ibileye, attended the ceremony and delivered a firm pledge to uphold the high standards established by his predecessor. Professor Ibileye assured the audience that the foundations laid during the Akinwumi era would be the bedrock for future institutional growth.

Professor Akinwumi, a renowned historian and former President of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), concludes his tenure with an international reputation. A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL), his career highlights include:

International Recognition: Recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt (AvHF) and DAAD fellowships in Germany.

Academic Leadership: Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Legacy: Winner of the prestigious Professor Ali Mazrui Award.

Dr. Stephen E. Adewumi, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the outgoing VC from their time at Nicon Luxury through to FUL, noted that the "gigantic infrastructural and academic projects" at the Confluence State university stand as a permanent testament to Akinwumi's vision.

As his tenure officially ends, the university community and the city of Lokoja bid farewell to a leader whose impact on the "soil of the Confluence" is destined to endure for generations.