The Centre for Ethics and Self-Value Orientation (CESVO) has bestowed its highest honour on the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, in recognition of his exemplary leadership, integrity, and strict adherence to ethical standards in public service. The Vice-Chancellor was also formally inducted into the prestigious CESVO Hall of Fame, reserved for distinguished national leaders, including senators, captains of industry, and chief executives of major organizations.

The investiture ceremony, held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room on November 26, 2025, also featured the presentation of multiple corporate awards to the University, affirming Federal University Lokoja’s rising reputation as one of the most ethically compliant federal institutions in Nigeria.

In his address, the Executive Director of CESVO, Ethicist Prince Salih Musa Yakubu, highlighted the rigorous independent assessment that led to the honours. He described Professor Akinwumi as a leader whose performance aligns strongly with CESVO’s indicators for ethical university administration across Nigeria.

Prince Yakubu explained that the awards followed a comprehensive undercover evaluation spanning four years and covering areas such as public accessibility, SERVICOM compliance, emotional intelligence, participatory management, ethical uprightness, due process, federal character compliance, fiscal discipline, innovation, quality assurance, and discipline among staff and students.

He further noted that CESVO’s evaluation instruments, opinion polls, project tracking, interviews, and social media visibility consistently revealed a leader committed to transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity.

Under Professor Akinwumi’s leadership, the University has excelled in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, resource management, and academic programme development, with improved graduate employability across key sectors. CESVO also commended the Vice-Chancellor’s attention to staff and student welfare, corporate and personal integrity, commitment to exam ethics, and adherence to due process.

As part of the corporate recognitions, Federal University Lokoja was awarded:

1. Certificate of Credence: Ranked first overall as the most ethically responsible federal establishment in Kogi State (2025).
2. Corporate Ethics and Integrity Compliance Award: Ranked first in fiscal discipline among shortlisted federal universities in Nigeria.

Additionally, principal officers, including the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and the Head of Protocol and Public Relations, received Letters of Commendation for outstanding professional ethics and administrative efficiency.

CESVO conferred on Professor Akinwumi the Conscience Leadership and Accountability Ambassadorial Award (CLEA) 2025, acknowledging his impactful leadership, commitment to national interest, adherence to federal character principles, and consistency in value-driven administration. The award was accompanied by an Ethical Conduct and Leadership Compliance Certificate and a letter of authority to include the CLEA honorific among his titles.

Prince Yakubu affirmed that the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative record, spanning both Federal University Lokoja and his earlier service at Nasarawa State University, demonstrates remarkable consistency in ethical governance and excellence.

In his remarks, Professor Akinwumi admitted that he had previously declined accepting awards from several organizations. “My service to humanity is my responsibility to God and a demonstration of my faith and principles,” the VC maintained. He expressed gratitude to CESVO for its impartial evaluation process and charged the organization to remain steadfast in its efforts to promote ethical transformation across Nigeria.

The Registrar, Dr. Rebecca Okojie, who also received an award, thanked CESVO for recognizing the Vice-Chancellor and the management team. She described the honour as both deserving and timely, affirming that every commendation given to the Vice-Chancellor is verifiable and evidence-based. Speaking on behalf of the principal officers, she appreciated CESVO for the personal and institutional recognitions.

The honours bestowed on Professor Akinwumi and the management team serve as strong endorsements of the current administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and institutional excellence at Federal University Lokoja. They also reaffirm the University’s emerging status as a model of ethical leadership and responsible governance in Nigeria’s higher education sector. See more pictures here

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