Federal University Lokoja Succession Controversy: A Call for Merit and Diversity

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

A controversy has erupted over the reported attempt to appoint Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, an Okun-Yoruba academia, as the successor to the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also an Okun-Yoruba from the same village, Ekinrin-Adde.

This situation has raised concerns about the erosion of merit, fairness, and national balance in the governance of federal universities.

Many argue that having two consecutive Vice Chancellors from the same minority subgroup, ethnic bloc, and village is both insensitive and indefensible, contradicting the spirit of Nigeria’s laws and the ethics of public administration.

Critics emphasize that Federal University Lokoja is situated in Kogi State, a region characterized by its diversity, and that the university’s foundation has been built on the collective goodwill, land, taxes, and political support from all its constituent groups.

Allegations have also emerged that Prof. Ibileye’s potential appointment is not based on merit but rather on connections within the broader Yoruba political landscape. The perception that the Vice Chancellor was chosen through patronage rather than a transparent, merit-based system raises questions about the legitimacy of the process.

The Federal Character principle, embedded in Nigeria’s constitutional framework, aims to assure every group that the Nigerian state belongs to all. Critics argue that this reported appointment would send a troubling message to other qualified Nigerians, undermine staff morale, and exacerbate ethnic distrust.

The statement calls on the Governing Council of Federal University Lokoja, the Federal Ministry of Education, and relevant oversight bodies to ensure a transparent selection process that prioritizes the most qualified candidate, ideally from a different ethnic background. It emphasizes that the position of vice-chancellor is not a hereditary title or a reward for political connections but rather a competitive national appointment meant to serve the students, staff, and the Nigerian project.

This controversy highlights the need for Nigeria to choose between perpetuating a familiar mistake and upholding a higher standard. The Federal University Lokoja deserves a Vice Chancellor selected transparently, based on clear merit, and with a conscious respect for diversity. Anything less would betray the very essence of a Federal University.