Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi Appointed Substantive Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) has approved the appointment of Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi as the university’s substantive Vice-Chancellor.
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The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) has approved the appointment of Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi as the university’s substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The announcement was made during the 80th Extraordinary Meeting of Council on Friday, according to Dr. Habib Yakoob, the institution’s Acting Head of Information.
“The appointment takes effect from Tuesday, 10 February 2026, for a non-renewable tenure of five years,” Yakoob stated.
Professor Fawehinmi, currently Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian British University, assumes office following months of leadership under acting Vice-Chancellors appointed by the Federal Government due to controversies surrounding the tenure of former VC, Professor Aisha Maikudi.
In the meantime, the Council has extended the tenure of the university’s Acting VC, Professor Mathew Adamu, until February 10, 2026. Adamu was initially appointed on August 11, 2025.
A Professor of Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology, Fawehinmi has extensive experience in academic administration. He previously served as Head of the Department of Anatomy (2005–2007; 2007–2009), Associate Dean (2010–2012), Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (2012–2014), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (2016–2020) at the University of Port Harcourt. He has also contributed to numerous statutory and ad hoc committees and boards.
Beyond administration, Professor Fawehinmi has held prominent positions in professional bodies, including Secretary-General and National Executive Council Member of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State (1999–2000), Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Anatomical Sciences, and President of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (2014–2016).
His academic achievements and community contributions have been widely recognized. He is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Specialties of Nigeria, having received numerous awards and prizes throughout his distinguished career.
