FUL Committee Submits Final Policy Draft on Endowed Professorial Chairs
The Committee on the Establishment and Management of Endowed Professorial Chairs has submitted its Final Draft Policy to the Management of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), providing a comprehensive framework for establishing, funding, appointing and managing endowed professorial chairs at the University.
Philip22
The Committee on the Establishment and Management of Endowed Professorial Chairs has submitted its Final Draft Policy to the Management of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), providing a comprehensive framework for establishing, funding, appointing and managing endowed professorial chairs at the University.
The document was presented on behalf of the 11-member Committee by its Chairman and Director of Advancement and Linkages, Professor Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi. He said the Committee had conducted an extensive review of policies and practices adopted by leading universities across Africa, Europe, North America and Australia, as well as relevant institutions in Nigeria.
According to Professor Atawodi, the review showed that there was no directly comparable framework of similar breadth, describing the FUL document as a comprehensive institutional guide specifically tailored to the University’s strategic priorities and developmental realities.
The proposed Policy covers the establishment, funding, appointment, governance, performance assessment, donor relations, intellectual property, ethics and financial management of endowed professorial chairs.
It is also supported by practical implementation tools, including model appointment procedures, an endowment agreement, performance indicators and donor engagement frameworks.
A major feature of the Policy is its positioning of endowed professorial chairs as performance-driven platforms for institutional development rather than largely honorary appointments.
Under the proposed framework, appointments and renewals would be linked to measurable outcomes in research, postgraduate mentorship, innovation, technology transfer, grant attraction, international collaboration and societal impact, while protecting academic freedom, institutional autonomy and donor confidence.
The framework further provides for diversified sponsorship from government, industry, alumni, philanthropists and international development partners. It also incorporates provisions for sustainable financial management, donor stewardship, annual impact reporting and external performance reviews.
The Policy accommodates interdisciplinary, industry-supported, visiting and collaborative endowed professorial chairs.
The Committee expressed confidence that implementation of the Policy would strengthen FUL’s research enterprise, attract academic talent and competitive funding, expand postgraduate training, deepen partnerships with industry and accelerate the translation of research into innovations, patents, technologies and public policy solutions.
Responding on behalf of the University Management, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, commended the Committee for its work, declaring that it had “exceeded our expectation.”
Professor Ibileye said the proposed Policy gives concrete expression to the University’s Vision Plan 2026–2031. He also commended the Committee for benchmarking international practices and expressed confidence that, following Senate approval, the document could serve as a reference for other universities seeking to develop similar frameworks.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the Policy would be forwarded to the Registrar for onward transmission to Senate for consideration and approval.
He further revealed that Management had already commenced engagements with organisations and institutions regarding funding and sponsorship, with positive responses already received.
Professor Ibileye charged the Committee to continue providing guidance as sponsorship proposals emerge, with the aim of ensuring a standardised and credible process. He also thanked the Committee members for their service to the University.
The 11-member Committee comprises:
- Professor Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi – Chairman
- Professor Emmanuel O. Ekundayo
- Professor Dauda Tanko
- Professor Ofure O.M. Aito
- Gabriel K. Olorunleke
- Professor Abel Joseph
- Professor David Kolawole Omole
- Professor Omofa Moses Niyi Gbenga
- Professor Musa Adeku Ibrahim
- Professor Ayodele Bamidele
- Mrs. Adiza Jumai Umar – Secretary
The Committee expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the foresight to constitute it and to the University Management for its support and cooperation throughout the assignment.
