Universities to honour late Prof. Baikie with Global Tribute Night

By Mariam Abeeb

A consortium of Nigerian and international universities has announced plans to host a Global Day of Tributes and Orations in honour of late Prof. Adamu David Baikie, who passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 94.
The initiative was disclosed in a statement by the Chairman of the Project Implementation Committee at Walter Miller University (Proposed), Senator Tunde Ogbeha, who said the tribute night would mark the formal commencement of efforts to immortalise Professor Baikie’s enduring legacies in education and national development.
The participating institutions include Walter Miller Educational Resources Ltd./Walter Miller University, in partnership with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; the University of Benin, Benin City; the National University of Lesotho, Maseru (Southern Africa); and the Nigerian Academy of Education.
Prof. Baikie, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost educationists with influence across Africa and the global academic community, died peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025.
He was laid to rest on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Wusasa, Zaria, his hometown.
Organisers have extended an open invitation to members of the public to participate in the special global event.
They also called for the submission of tributes and scholarly orations not later than January 10, 2026, to allow for compilation and publication ahead of the tribute night scheduled for January 15, 2026.
“The family, colleagues and friends are grateful to all who sent condolence messages, attended the funeral and burial, and offered prayers, support and encouragement in various ways,” the statement said.
According to the organisers, Professor Baikie is eminently deserving of honour for his unparalleled contributions to education and national development.
“He distinguished himself as an accomplished scholar and teacher; a Vice-Chancellor of exceptional repute; a gifted administrator and researcher; a respected boardroom diplomat; a community builder; and a global citizen whose impact spanned institutions and generations,” the statement noted.
Prof. Baikie served as Vice-Chancellor of three universities, was a former Chairman of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Dean of the Faculty of Education, and Director of the Institute of Education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of ABU on five occasions.