UPDATE: Former Uniport Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi Assumes Office As UniAbuja Vice Chancellor Despite Earlier Protests Over Eligibility. In a significant turn of events, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi — former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Port Harcourt — has officially assumed duty as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja on Thursday December 11, 2025 despite earlier protests challenging his eligibility. His appointment, which was approved by the University’s 11th Governing Council during its 80th Extraordinary Meeting on November 7, 2025, was initially set to take effect from February 10, 2026, for a single, non-renewable five-year tenure. However, Prof. Fawehinmi has now taken over the leadership of the institution following a formal handover from the Acting Vice Chancellor. Unique Stoary had congratulated Prof. Fawehinmi on November 11, 2025, shortly after his appointment was announced, acknowledging his academic leadership and breadth of administrative experience. But barely a month later, a coalition of academic staff — the Concerned Academic Stakeholders of the University of Abuja — publicly rejected the appointment, alleging that Prof. Fawehinmi did not possess a Ph.D., which they insisted was explicitly required in the advertised criteria for the Vice Chancellorship. According to the stakeholders, though Prof. Fawehinmi is widely respected for his scholarly contributions, professional fellowships, and administrative competence, fellowships cannot replace a doctoral degree — a long-established qualification under NUC norms. They further warned that proceeding with the appointment could raise governance and legal concerns for the institution. Despite the objections, the Governing Council has upheld its decision, and Prof. Fawehinmi has now officially resumed duties. Upon assumption of office, he pledged to strengthen academic excellence, enhance research output, promote institutional stability, and improve the student experience, emphasizing a commitment to collaboration across all sectors of the university. As reactions continue to trail this development, the university community and the wider public are watching closely to see how this new phase of leadership will shape the institution going forward. Once again, Unique Stoary congratulates Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi on his assumption of office as the 8th Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja. We wish him a purposeful, progressive, and impactful tenure as he takes on the enormous task of steering the university toward greater academic excellence, stability, and innovation. _____________________________________________ We have a WhatsApp channel. Do well to follow for exclusive offers, placements and real time updates; https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAYOmR05MUbjMcimM00 _____________________________________________ #UniqueStoary #Uniport #ABetterUniport #NUC #UniAbuja #UniportNews #Cikamo #Campus #CampusGist #CampusLife #CampusUpdate

UniAbuja Professors Reject Appointment of Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, Former Uniport Deputy Vice Chancellor, as New Vice Chancellor Over Alleged Non-Possession of a Ph.D. Fresh controversy has erupted at the University of Abuja following the appointment of Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi — former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Port Harcourt — as the institution’s new Vice Chancellor. The appointment was approved by the 11th Governing Council of the University, chaired by Distinguished Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, and was announced during its 80th Extraordinary Meeting held on Friday, 7th November 2025. Prof. Fawehinmi is scheduled to assume office on 10th February 2026 for a non-renewable five-year tenure. Unique Stoary had earlier congratulated Prof. Fawehinmi on his appointment on November 11, 2025, highlighting his academic leadership and experience. However, barely a month after the announcement, a coalition of academic staff under the banner of the Concerned Academic Stakeholders of the University of Abuja formally rejected the appointment, alleging that Prof. Fawehinmi does not possess a Ph.D., which they insist was a mandatory requirement clearly stated in the advertised criteria for the Vice Chancellorship. According to the protesting academics, the job advertisement explicitly required candidates to hold a doctoral degree, reflecting long-established norms of the National Universities Commission (NUC). While Prof. Fawehinmi is widely respected for his academic leadership, distinguished scholarship, and professional fellowships, the group argues that fellowships cannot substitute for a Ph.D. when assessing eligibility for the office of Vice Chancellor. They warn that proceeding with the appointment despite this alleged breach could create legal, procedural, and governance challenges for the institution. The stakeholders are urging the Governing Council to review the appointment or consider the next fully qualified candidate on the shortlist to safeguard the university’s credibility. As the tension builds, the academic community is closely following how the Council will respond to these concerns ahead of the February 2026 resumption date. Unique Stoary will continue to track this unfolding story and provide verified updates. _____________________________________________ We have a WhatsApp channel. Do well to follow for exclusive offers, placements and real time updates; https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAYOmR05MUbjMcimM00 _____________________________________________ #UniqueStoary #Uniport #ABetterUniport #NUC #UniAbuja #UniportNews #Cikamo #Campus #CampusGist #CampusLife #CampusUpdate