THE HAND OF GOD IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA
By Dr. Tosin Olagunju
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My faith has been renewedly strengthened in the Lord God of Hosts, the God of our fathers.
At the completion of the tenure of Prof. Angela Freeman Miri in 2021, we were hopeful that an internal professor would be appointed to lead the affairs of the Federal University Lokoja. Of course, we had Gbenga Solomon Ibileye in mind. However, God’s ways were not ours. He brought us another outsider in the person of Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, the man who changed the story of FUL from trenches to super grace.
His administration was laced with high-impact infrastructure, expansion, and visibility for our dear University. FUL became a hub of knowledge. As Akinwumi’s five-year tenure wound down, it was time to choose a Vice-Chancellor who could at least match his achievements, if not surpass them.
And the race began.
The search team went out. Applications flew in. It was time to choose the selection team from the University Senate. The hand of God gave us two men who would do the right thing without fear or favour.
Then came the shortlisting. Eleven applicants emerged out of thirty-eight. In Yorùbá, eleven is “oókànlá”, which translates to “one that surpasses ten.”
The interview date was fixed for Monday, 15 December 2025. Applicants began to arrive in well-packaged suits, agbádá, with briefcases, bags, and aides. The interview commenced exactly at 1:30 pm, with applicants invited in alphabetical order. It ran deep into the night, as the panel was determined to conclude the process in the interest of national peace and domestic tranquillity.
At exactly 2:25 am on 16 December 2025, the man of the moment, who was number eight on the list, was called in. He emerged from the interview room at 3:19 am. After the entire exercise, at about 5:00 am, we dispersed and reconvened at 7:00 am, when the Governing Council met to officially announce the winner.
Tension mounted. Agitations everywhere. People stayed glued to their phones awaiting the announcement. The recurring question was, “Have they announced?”
Then, at about 8:30 am, the announcement was made.
Behold, the one who surpassed the other ten was Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, MNAL, FLAN, FESAN.
A distinguished scholar, visionary administrator, and devoted community leader, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, PhD, MNAL, FLAN, FESAN, embodies a rare combination of academic excellence and grassroots engagement.
He was born on June 7, 1966, in the vibrant Okun-Yoruba community of Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State—a place that has remained central to his identity and life’s work. He has maintained an unwavering connection to his roots, earning widespread recognition for his commitment to community development.
In 2021, this dedication was formally honoured when he was inducted into the Ekinrin-Adde Hall of Fame as ỌMỌ ÀTÀTÀ (Distinguished Son), a title reflecting not only his professional achievements but also the deep respect and affection his community holds for him.
Professor Ibileye’s academic journey has been firmly anchored in English Language studies. He earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in English Language from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, completing his doctorate in 2002. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). His academic specialisation is in Linguistics, with emphasis on Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics.
He began his teaching career in the 1990s as a Lecturer in English at ABU, Zaria, rising to the rank of Professor of English in 2010. In 2012, he joined the newly established Federal University Lokoja, where he has held several pivotal positions, including:
Director of General Studies
Director, Entrepreneurship Unit
Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies (2021–2025)
Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee
Head, Department of English and Literary Studies (2015–2017)
Head, Department of Theatre Arts (2021–2025)
As Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, he expanded programmes and enrolment, pioneered quality assurance initiatives, and organised the College’s first national academic conference. He also served as a member of the 2nd Governing Council under the leadership of the late Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs.
On the 16th day of December 2025, the Governing Council appointed him the 4th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, effective February 15, 2026. He emerged as the top candidate in a highly competitive process, scoring 91.9 points among eleven shortlisted candidates from thirty-eight applicants, becoming the first homegrown staff member of the institution to attain this position.
A prolific scholar in Applied Linguistics, Professor Ibileye’s expertise spans Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, Legal and Forensic Linguistics, as well as Political and Media Discourse.
So, where is the hand of God?
There were actions and inactions rooted in the belief that another Okun man should not take over from an Okun Vice-Chancellor. But the hand of God said No. Let grace speak. Let merit speak. Let confidence speak. Let charisma speak. Let prudence speak. Let quality speak. Let accountability speak. Let mentorship speak. Let transparency speak. Let staff welfare speak.
These and more are what Gbenga Solomon Ibileye represents.
Little wonder the Council Chairman affirmed after the announcement:
“I am happy with you; you won it clean.”
Later that same day, in what appeared to be a historic evening, the 4th Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, received his appointment letter from the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Tajo Abdallah, at exactly 8:17 pm on 16 December 2025.
The event, anchored by the University Registrar, had in attendance the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, external members of the Governing Council, and principal officers of the University.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Vice-Chancellor pledged to build on the foundation and legacies laid by the administration of Professor Akinwumi, stressing that by the end of his tenure, the Council members and the outgoing Vice-Chancellor would return to confirm that they made no mistake in appointing him.
The new man set to pilot the affairs of FUL for the next five years was accompanied by his consultant, Alhaji Sarafadeen; his cousin, Hon. Ade Omofaye; the Head, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Dr. Tòsín Ọlágúnjú; the Deputy Registrar (Senate Affairs), Mr. Jide Okewoye; and Mr. Emmanuel Ikpelemoh of the Department of Theatre Arts.
It is a new dawn in FUL!
Dr. Tòsín Ọlágúnjú is the Head, Department of Linguistics and African Languages
Federal University Lokoja
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 21ST 2025)
