In the world of academia, where brilliance meets service, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi has built a reputation that speaks louder than titles. And now, that journey has reached a new milestone.
At its 80th Extraordinary Meeting held on Friday, November 7, 2025, the Eleventh Governing Council of the University, under the chairmanship of Distinguished Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, announced the appointment of Prof. Fawehinmi as the new substantive Vice-Chancellor.
His five-year, non-renewable tenure officially begins on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. In the meantime, the Council also approved an extension of the acting tenure of Prof. Mathew Adamu, who has been steering the institution since August 2025, to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
But beyond the formalities and the paperwork lies the story of a man who has spent decades shaping minds, building institutions, and redefining what it means to lead with purpose.
A Scholar Forged in the Halls of Excellence
Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi is not just another academic; he’s a man whose life tells a story of relentless pursuit of knowledge and unwavering dedication to teaching.
A Professor of Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology, he embodies a rare blend of intellect, humility, and humanism. His academic footprints stretch across the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), where he has served in numerous leadership capacities — from Head of the Department of Anatomy to Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and later, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) between 2016 and 2020.
Those who have worked closely with him describe him as a “quiet reformer” — a man who listens more than he speaks, but when he does, his words often carry the weight of deep thought and quiet conviction.
A Lifetime of Service and Scholarship
For Professor Fawehinmi, academia is not a profession; it’s a calling. Over the years, he has built a reputation for academic rigour and mentorship, having supervised more than 100 undergraduate projects, 15 master’s theses, and 13 doctoral dissertations.
His intellectual contributions are vast — over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, 37 conference abstracts, and participation in 78 academic conferences and workshops spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
In 2014, he delivered UniPort’s 111th Inaugural Lecture titled “Different Tailors for the Same People; Same Surgeon for Different People” — a reflection on the intricate relationship between science and society, between the individual and the collective.
He also holds a Federal Government patent for his innovative design of the AMRG Anthropometry Chair, a tool for precise body measurement used in biomedical studies — a rare example of Nigerian ingenuity translating into tangible scientific utility.
The Leader Who Builds Bridges
In an era when the gap between academia and the wider society continues to widen, Professor Fawehinmi has distinguished himself as a bridge builder. He has helped forge Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnerships linking universities with industries, communities, and international institutions.
He has served as External Examiner and Professoriate Assessor to many of Nigeria’s first- and second-generation universities, including the prestigious University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. His leadership expertise has also been sought by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), where he has led several accreditation and visitation panels.
A former President of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (2014–2016), Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Anatomical Sciences, and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Prof. Fawehinmi’s impact goes far beyond lecture halls and laboratories.
Global Recognition, Local Roots
In 2021, his name appeared in the Africa Scientist Rankings compiled by the Alper-Doger Scientific Index, a testament to his international recognition and research influence. Yet, despite his global profile, Prof. Fawehinmi remains deeply grounded in his Nigerian roots — a man who believes that education must serve humanity, not just scholarship.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (FRAI) and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria (FAMedS) — honours that reflect his dual identity as both a scientist and a social thinker.
A Family Anchored in Academia
Behind the titles and achievements is a family built on shared values of knowledge and service. Prof. Fawehinmi is married to Dr. Hadeezat O. Fawehinmi, a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. Together, they are raising five children — a true academic family that understands the power of education as both legacy and responsibility.
Until this appointment, he served as the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian British University in Asa, Abia State — where he laid the foundation for what is fast becoming one of Nigeria’s promising new private institutions.
A Vision for the Future
As he prepares to assume office in February 2026, the academic community is already abuzz with optimism. Those who know him predict a tenure that will prioritize innovation, global partnerships, and student-focused reforms.
For a man who has spent his life dissecting the human form to better understand it, Prof. Fawehinmi now takes on a new anatomy — that of an entire institution. His mission: to nurture, to rebuild, and to lead a university that thinks globally and acts locally.
With Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi at the helm, the future indeed looks promising — not just for the University, but for the next generation of scholars whose dreams are being shaped by the quiet brilliance of this remarkable man.