Gowon University Appoints Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi as New Vice-Chancellor

By: Ojay Matthew

The newly renamed Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja, has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi as its substantive Vice-Chancellor.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by the institution’s Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob. He disclosed that the decision was reached at the 80th Extraordinary Meeting of the 11th Governing Council chaired by Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso.

Prof. Fawehinmi is expected to assume office on February 10, 2026, for a single five-year tenure. He currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State.

To ensure a seamless transition, the Council also approved the extension of the tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mathew Adamu, until February 10, 2026. Prof. Adamu was appointed by the Federal Government on August 11, 2025.

Prof. Fawehinmi is a renowned scholar in clinical anatomy and biomedical anthropology. Over the years, he has held key academic and administrative leadership positions at the University of Port Harcourt, including Head of the Department of Anatomy, Associate Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).