Outrage In Federal University Lokoja Over Naming Of Senate Building After Outgoing VC, Prof Akinwumi

 The controversy followed the university’s February 11, 2026 announcement approving a comprehensive naming exercise for streets, hostels and major facilities across its Felele and Adankolo campuses.

The decision by the Governing Council of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, to name the institution’s central Senate Building after its outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, has sparked widespread backlash among former students and stakeholders who described the move as unethical and self-serving. 

The controversy followed the university’s February 11, 2026 announcement approving a comprehensive naming exercise for streets, hostels and major facilities across its Felele and Adankolo campuses — a decision ratified during the council’s 7th regular meeting held in January 2026. 

Prominent among the approved designations is the three-storey administrative headquarters now named the Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi Senate Building, a project initiated and completed during Akinwumi’s tenure, which officially ends on February 16, 2026.

However, a petition jointly signed by Lanre Awoniyi and Tanko Aliyu on behalf of “Real concerned citizens who are major stakeholders of the Federal University Lokoja” accused the outgoing vice-chancellor of promoting personal glorification at the expense of institutional values.

In the petition addressed to journalists and the Nigerian public, the signatories said the development represents “a deeply troubling development that strikes at the heart of ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and decency in public conduct in higher education and society.”

They argued that naming the university’s premier administrative complex after a serving or outgoing vice-chancellor breaks long-standing academic traditions.

According to the statement, “this is a clear act of self-aggrandisement and self-glorification that flagrantly disregards established ethical norms in higher education leadership.”

The petitioners stressed that the Senate Building — described as “the symbolic heart of university decision-making and governance” — is traditionally reserved for founding figures or individuals who played foundational roles in establishing institutions, not serving administrators.

“In no Nigerian university or indeed in global best practices has a sitting or outgoing Vice-Chancellor successfully named a major building, let alone the central Senate Building, after themselves,” the statement read.

They further alleged that the recommendation for the naming originated from a committee instituted by Akinwumi himself, raising concerns about conflict of interest and abuse of office.

“The naming recommendation originated from a committee set up by Prof. Akinwumi himself and was approved by a rubber stamp Governing Council that has been compromised during his tenure,” the petition stated.

The petitioners also claimed the action “effectively sidelines and negates the tireless efforts of the university’s founding fathers, establishing President, Education Minister, University Chancellor, early pioneers, past Vice-Chancellors and countless others who contributed to FUL’s establishment and growth.”
 

The controversy has intensified amid allegations circulating in public discourse concerning Akinwumi’s administration. The petition noted that reports indicate investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police fraud unit into alleged contract irregularities and administrative infractions linked to his leadership, though no official findings have been publicly confirmed.

The stakeholders argued that immortalising the outgoing vice-chancellor at such a time raises ethical concerns, stating that “naming a building after oneself at such a time is seen by many as prioritizing personal immortalization over institutional humility, accountability, and ethical restraint.”

They called on federal education authorities and anti-corruption agencies to intervene, urging the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), TETFund and relevant bodies to review the decision.

“We stand united against this breach of ethical standards and call for full accountability, ensuring that the legacy of Federal University Lokoja remains one of honor, service, and collective recognition rather than personal glorification,” the statement added.

Despite the backlash, supporters within the university community have defended the naming exercise, arguing that the decision forms part of a broader initiative aimed at recognising individuals who contributed to infrastructure development, philanthropy and institutional growth.

Other facilities approved under the exercise were named after prominent academics, public officials and contributors, including Prof. Hassan Rafindadi’s Clinic, Prof. Angela Miri’s Hostel, Hon. Abiodun Faleke Sports Centre, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha’s E-Learning Centre, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Building and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Way, among others.

The university framed the exercise as recognition of “service, philanthropy, excellence, and transformative leadership,” inviting the public and university community to take note of the new designations.

However, critics insist the Senate Building naming crosses ethical boundaries and sets a dangerous precedent for Nigerian academia.

“A university’s legacy should reflect service, humility, and collective achievement, not individual self-promotion,” the petitioners said, adding that the controversy represents “a defining moment for the university community to assert its commitment to integrity, proper governance, and the principles that should guide every academic institution.”