The long-running dispute over the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the Federal University, Wukari (FUWukari) in Taraba State, has been resolved with the appointment of Prof. Benjamin Kefas as the institution’s new vice-chancellor.
Prof. Kefas takes over following the completion of the tenure of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jude Rebo.
Before his appointment, Prof. Kefas served as a visiting professor of molecular medicine and pharmacology at the FUWukari and at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, in the United States.
He is a professor of pharmacy with expertise in neurology, cancer biology, microbiology, and immunology, and has also been associated with the University of Virginia’s pharmacy technician programme.
He hails from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Speaking on his agenda for the university, the new vice-chancellor outlined ethical leadership, accountability, and community engagement as central pillars of his administration aimed at improving educational outcomes at the FUWukari.
Under what he described as “Mission Three” of his vision, Prof. Kefas said his leadership would establish platforms to prepare students, staff, and faculty for ethical leadership rooted in respect, accountability, service, honesty, justice, and community values.
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He noted that mutual respect between students and the university’s management would enhance communication, improve workplace relationships, and boost productivity across the institution.
The new vice chancellor further emphasised accountability, pledging that his administration would be guided by integrity, responsibility, and leadership by example.
According to him, leaders must own their decisions and actions without shifting blame for institutional shortcomings.
Prof. Kefas also promised to promote a culture of service, where policies and decisions are taken in the best interest of students and the wider society, while encouraging volunteerism and charitable initiatives that students can emulate.
He added that transparency and open communication, including on difficult or unpopular issues, would be key to building trust within the university community.
On justice and inclusion, the vice-chancellor assured that fairness and equitable treatment for all would remain a priority, alongside efforts to strengthen a sense of shared ownership and community among students, staff, and faculty.
Addressing community development, which he identified as “Mission Four” of his vision, Prof. Kefas said FUWukari would deepen engagement with its host communities, predominantly made up of farmers, small business owners, and traditional medicine practitioners.
He explained that the university, through its Faculties of Medicine, Agriculture, and Business, would pursue partnerships to advance herbal and natural medical therapies, promote high-yield and drought-resistant crops, and modernise local business practices.
He also revealed plans to collaborate closely with the Federal University Wukari Teaching Hospital (FUWTH) to develop it into a major healthcare hub serving the Benue, Plateau, and Adamawa axis, as well as the wider Nigerian population.
