My faith has been “renewedly” built in the Lord God of Host, the God of our fathers! At the completion of the tenure of Prof. Angela Freeman Miri in 2021, we were hopeful that an internal professor would be appointed to lead the affairs of the Federal University Lokoja. Of course, we had Gbenga Solomon Ibileye in mind! However, God’s way was not ours! He brought us another outsider in person of Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, the man who changed the story of FUL from trenches to super grace! His administration was laced with high impact infrastructure, expansion and visibility of our dear University. FUL became the hub of knowledge! Akinwumi’s five years wind down and it is time to choose a Vice-Chancellor that can at least match his achievements, if not surpassing it. And the race began! Search team went out! Applications flew in! It was time choose selection team from the University Senate… The hand of God gave us two men who would do the right thing without fear or favour! It was time for shortlisting! 11 applicants made it out of 38. In Yorùbá, eleven is “oókànlá”, translated as one surpasses ten! The date for interview was fixed for Monday 15 December 2025. Applicants began to arrive in their well packaged suits, agbádá, brief cases, bags and aides. The interview commenced at exactly 1:30pm, calling in the applicants in alphabetical order. It ran into the night and the panel was bent on concluding the process for national peace and domestic tranquility. At exactly 2:25am of 16 December 2025, the man of the moment, who was number 8 on the list, was called in! He came out of the interview room at 3:19am. After the whole exercise, at about 5am, we dispersed and reconvened at 7am when the general Council came for meeting to officially announce the winner of the race. Tension started mounting! Agitations everywhere! People stayed glued to their phones for the release! The main question was “have they announced?” Behold, at about 8:30am, the announcement was made! And one who surpasses the other ten is Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, MNAL, FLAN, FESAN.
He is distinguished scholar, visionary administrator, and devoted community leader, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, PhD, MNAL, FLAN, FESAN, embodies the rare combination of academic excellence and grassroots engagement.
Born on June 7, 1966, in the vibrant Okun-Yoruba community of Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, a place that has remained central to his identity and life’s work. He has maintained an unwavering connection to his roots, earning widespread recognition for his grassroots commitment to community development.
In 2021, this dedication was formally honored when he was inducted into the Ekinrin-Adde Hall of Fame as ỌMỌ ÀTÀTÀ (Distinguished Son), a title that reflects not only his professional achievements but the deep respect and affection his community holds for him.
Professor Ibileye’s academic journey has been firmly anchored in English language studies. He earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in English Language from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, completing his doctorate in 2002. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). His academic specialisation is in linguistics, with emphasis on discourse analysis and pragmatics.
Professor Ibileye began his teaching career in the 1990s as a lecturer in English at ABU, Zaria, rising to the rank of Professor of English in 2010. In 2012, he joined the newly established Federal University Lokoja (FUL), where he has held several pivotal positions. These include:
• Director of General Studies
• Director, Entrepreneurship Unit
• Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies (2021–2025)
• Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee
• Head, Department of English and Literary Studies (2015-2017
• Head, Department of Theatre Arts (2021–2025)
As Provost of the Postgraduate College, he expanded programmes and enrolment, pioneered quality assurance initiatives, and organised the College’s first national academic conference. He also served as a member of the 2nd Governing Council under the leadership of late Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs.
On the 16th day of December, 2025, the Governing Council appointed him the 4th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, effective February 15, 2026. He emerged as the top candidate in a highly competitive process, scoring 91.9 points among eleven shortlisted candidates from 38 applications, becoming the first “homegrown” staff of the institution to attain this position.
As a prolific scholar in Applied Linguistics, Professor Ibileye’s expertise spans Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, Legal and Forensic Linguistics, and Political/Media Discourse.
So, where is the hand of God? There were actions and inactions on the fact that another Okun man should not take over from an Okun VC! But the hard of God says No! Let grace speak! Let Merit speak! Let confidence speak! Let charisma speak! Let prudence speak! Let quality speak! Let accountability speak! Let mentorship speak! Let transparency speak! Let staff welfare speak! These and more are what Gbenga Solomon Ibileye represents! Little wonder the Council Chairman affirmed after the announcement… “I am happy with you, you won it clean!”
Later that day, in what looks like historic evening, the 4th Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye received his appointment letter as presented to him by the Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Professor Tajo Abdallah at exactly 8:17pm on 16th December 2025.
The event, which was anchored by the University Registrar, had in attendance, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, external members of the governing council and the University principal officers.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Vice-Chancellor promised to build on the foundation and legacies laid by the administration of Prof Olayemi, stressing that by the end of his administration, the council members and the incumbent Vice-Chancellor will come back to confirm that they did not make mistake in appointing him as the Vice-Chancellor.
The new man to pilot the affairs of FUL in the next five years was accompanied by his consultant, Alhaji Sarafadeen, his cousin, Hon. Ade Omofaye, Head, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Dr. Tòsín Ọlágúnjú, Deputy Registrar Senate Affairs, Mr. Jide Okewoye, and Mr. Emmanuel Ikpelemoh of the Department of Theatre Arts.
It is a new dawn in FUL!
Ọlágúnjú is – Head, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Federal University Lokoja
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