Monday, February 16, 2026 will forever remain a watershed moment, not only for the Okun people but for Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.
On that historic day, sons and daughters of Okunland joined hands with guests from other parts of Kogi State, and across the length and breadth of Nigeria, to honour Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye at his inauguration as the 4th Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja.
The university’s expansive main hall was soon overwhelmed as waves of attendees poured into the venue. The crowd was a rich mosaic of cultures and affiliations, Okun people from all local government areas, Kogites from Kogi East and Kogi Central, and well wishers who travelled from far flung parts of the country. From Okunland alone, buses were hired in every local government to convey supporters who came in solidarity to celebrate one of their finest intellectual exports. Beyond Okunland, individuals and delegations from other parts of Kogi State and major cities across Nigeria made the journey, underscoring the national acceptance and appeal of Prof. Ibileye.
In a remarkable show of goodwill, some ministries and parastatals in Lokoja reportedly released their workforce, particularly staff of Okun extraction, by about 10.00 a.m., encouraging them to go and celebrate with their brother. The atmosphere was festive, dignified, and emotionally charged, as pride mixed freely with gratitude and hope.
The inauguration attracted an imposing list of dignitaries. Traditional rulers from within and outside Okunland, senior military and paramilitary officers, both serving and retired, eminent professors, seasoned scholars, and notable academics from universities across Nigeria were present. The event also drew politicians cutting across party lines, captains of industry, technocrats, clergy, students, and members of civil society. The breadth of attendance, spanning Kogi State and the wider Nigerian federation, was a clear testimony to Prof. Ibileye’s far reaching influence and sterling reputation.
Prof. Ibileye is widely regarded as one of the brightest minds in Nigeria’s academic community. Over the years, he has earned national and international recognition as an authority in discourse analysis and pragmatic studies, with scholarly works that have enriched knowledge, shaped academic debate, and enhanced Nigeria’s intellectual footprint globally. Beyond his scholarship, he is celebrated as a consummate teacher, mentor to younger academics, and an administrator known for intellectual depth, fairness, and strategic vision.
In his address to the mammoth and diverse audience, Prof. Ibileye displayed characteristic humility. He paid glowing tributes to his three predecessors, Prof. Abdulmunini Hassan Rafindadi, Prof. Angela Freeman Miri, and Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, acknowledging their pioneering efforts, sacrifices, and leadership in nurturing the university through its formative years. He assured the university community, Kogi State, and the nation that his administration would consciously build on their legacies.
With a clear sense of mission, Prof. Ibileye pledged to consolidate past gains while steering the university toward greater academic excellence, research innovation, administrative stability, and global relevance. His commitment resonated strongly with the audience, whose thunderous applause reflected widespread confidence in his leadership.
Indeed, the inauguration of Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye was more than a ceremonial transition. It was a grand convergence of Kogi State and Nigeria in celebration of scholarship, service, and shared aspiration, a day that will not easily fade from history.
– Stanley Ajileye writes from Lokoja.
