The University of Abuja 11th Governing Council, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has approved the appointment of Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi as the new substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
A statement to this effect on Friday by the university’s Acting Director, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, stated, “The announcement was made during the Council’s 80th Extraordinary Meeting held on Friday, November 7, 2025, under the chairmanship of Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso.”
According to the development, Prof. Fawehinmi’s appointment will take effect from Tuesday, February 10, 2026, for a single, non-renewable tenure of five years.
Prof. Fawehinmi currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State.
“Meanwhile, the Council also approved the extension of the tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mathew Adamu, until February 10, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition. Prof. Adamu was initially appointed by the Federal Government on August 11, 2025,” the statement said.
Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi is a distinguished scholar of clinical anatomy and biomedical anthropology with an illustrious career in academia and university administration.
However, he has held several leadership positions at the University of Port Harcourt, including Head of Department of Anatomy (2005–2009, two terms); Associate Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (2010–2012); Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (2012–2014); and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (2016–2020).
The statement also read, “A dedicated academic, Prof. Fawehinmi has served on numerous statutory and ad hoc committees and boards, contributing significantly to institutional development and academic governance.
“He is an active member of several national and international professional associations, having served as Secretary-General and NEC Member of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State Chapter, 1999–2000)
“Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Anatomical Sciences; President, Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (2014–2016).
“Prof. Fawehinmi is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (FRAI) and Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialities of Nigeria (FAMedS).
“A prolific researcher, he has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and 37 conference abstracts and has participated in 78 international conferences, workshops, and training programmes across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
“He has supervised over 100 undergraduate projects, 15 master’s dissertations, and 13 doctoral theses, and delivered the 111th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt in 2014 titled “Different Tailors for the Same People; Same Surgeon for Different People.”
“Prof. Fawehinmi has also attracted several national and international competitive research grants, including one that led to the Federal Government patenting his design of the AMRG Anthropometry Chair for dimensional body measurements.
“His academic influence extends internationally as an External Examiner and Professoriate Assessor to many first- and second-generation universities, including the University of Exeter, UK. He has also led NUC and MDCN visitation panels to various medical schools.
“In recognition of his scholarly impact, Prof. Fawehinmi was cited in the 2021 Africa Scientist Rankings by the Alper-Doger Scientific Index.
“He is married to Dr Hadeezat O. Fawehinmi, a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, and they are blessed with five children.”
