Fawehinmi Unveils Transformation Agenda for Yakubu Gowon University, Emphasises Innovation and Entrepreneurship

By: Peace Ofeoshi 

The Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, has outlined an ambitious agenda to transform the institution into a globally competitive university, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, research, innovation, student welfare, and campus security.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with GreenLand News and other members of the World Journalists Forum, Fawehinmi said his administration is committed to building a 21st-century university where both staff and students are empowered to maximise their potential through quality teaching, research, innovation, and a competitive academic environment.

According to him, his immediate priorities are to restore lasting peace within the university community, improve the welfare of staff and students, and reposition the academic system for excellence.

"Our first task is to stabilise the university and ensure lasting peace. We will also prioritise staff and students' welfare while strengthening our academic system to meet global standards," he said.

The Vice-Chancellor identified transparency, accountability, hard work, and excellence as the guiding principles of his administration. He also acknowledged the influence of the late human rights icon, Gani Fawehinmi, and the late Ogbonnaya Onu as mentors whose leadership qualities continue to inspire him.

He charged students to remain focused and determined to succeed, stressing that discipline and perseverance are essential to achieving greatness.

"The secret of my success is fear of God, hardwork, determination, steadfastness, focus and dedication," he said, urging students to emulate those values in their academic and personal lives.

On campus security, he reaffirmed the university's zero-tolerance stance on cultism and other social vices, explaining that mechanisms have been established for confidential reporting, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff.

He warned that anyone found engaging in cult-related activities would face decisive disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

To improve academic quality, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed plans to strengthen quality assurance mechanisms, expand laboratory infrastructure, promote research through strategic partnerships with international institutions, and encourage staff and student exchange programmes.

He also stressed the need to equip students with practical skills relevant to today's digital economy, noting that entrepreneurship and experiential learning would remain central to the university's curriculum.

"Our young people must acquire practical skills that prepare them to become employers of labour rather than relying solely on government employment," he said.

Addressing student welfare, the Vice-Chancellor described inadequate hostel accommodation as one of the institution's most pressing challenges, revealing that less than one-third of the university's approximately 40,000 students can currently be accommodated on campus.

He said the university plans to expand hostel facilities by providing more affordable and comfortable accommodation with reliable water and electricity supply.

To further strengthen campus security, he disclosed plans to install surveillance infrastructure, improve lighting across academic and residential areas, and deepen collaboration with security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the university's internal security personnel.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted efforts to promote innovation by supporting undergraduate research through competitive grants and strengthening the university's Entrepreneurship Development Centre to nurture student innovations and business ideas.

He expressed confidence that the combined initiatives would position Yakubu Gowon University as a leading centre of academic excellence, innovation, and human capital development in Nigeria and beyond.