The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), will witness a major leadership transition as Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh prepares to conclude his tenure as Vice Chancellor on May 2, 2025.
His five-year term will be remembered for sweeping reforms, infrastructural expansion, and a legacy of peace and academic excellence.
Appointed in 2020 as the university’s fourth substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rim-Rukeh officially began his farewell with a valedictory press briefing, held at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room.
Reflecting on his tenure, he described his time in office as “memorable, fruitful, and fulfilling.”
“From the first day, we were determined to deliver. By God’s grace, we never looked back,” he told journalists, as he outlined the vision that shaped his administration—turning FUPRE into a globally competitive institution with a focus on academic excellence, research, and industry relevance.
His leadership was anchored on six strategic pillars: academic excellence, research and innovation, aggressive infrastructural development, staff and student welfare, community engagement, and global partnerships.
These priorities, he said, guided the university’s transformation under his watch.
During his tenure, the university introduced 21 new academic programmes, established three new colleges, and launched 16 Centres of Excellence.
Over 26 professional certification courses were also created. The institution recorded a remarkable infrastructural leap, doubling its building count from 16 to 32, and expanding lecture halls, laboratories, hostels, roads, and ICT facilities.
FUPRE’s research capacity also grew significantly, with several patents secured and the academic calendar running uninterrupted—even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, the university enjoyed five years of uninterrupted peace, with no student unrest for the first time in its history.
Speaking on leadership, Prof. Rim-Rukeh highlighted the need for humility, listening, emotional intelligence, and resilience. “The office of the Vice Chancellor goes beyond administration—it is a role that demands wisdom and problem-solving,” he noted.
A series of events have been scheduled to honour the outgoing Vice Chancellor.
The celebrations commenced on Wednesday, April 16, with a media briefing. On April 22, Prof. Rim-Rukeh is expected to visit an orphanage and meet with various university bodies, followed by a tree-planting exercise on April 24 and a Reward for Excellence ceremony.
On April 25, students will stage a cultural display and an Appreciation Ceremony in his honour.
The farewell activities continue on April 28 with a public lecture by veteran journalist Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, titled “The Gown & Town in Nigeria: The Issues in Between.” A science quiz competition for secondary schools will follow on April 29.
April 30 will feature the unveiling of a special memoir, scorecard, and photo book detailing Prof. Rim-Rukeh’s contributions.
The grand finale will hold on May 2 with a formal handover ceremony in the morning and a thanksgiving service in the afternoon.
Addressing the challenges he faced, Prof. Rim-Rukeh mentioned external pressures on the employment process, particularly from ministries and agencies, as well as misinformation from FUPRE Bush Radio. Despite these hurdles, he said, “We overcame.”
He also expressed regret over two uncompleted projects—the proposed College of Engineering building and the Advanced Centre for Learning—both stalled by limited time and funding.
In his closing remarks, the outgoing Vice Chancellor thanked the three Governing Councils he worked with, acknowledging their support throughout his tenure.
“Their backing made our achievements possible,” he said.
As Prof. Rim-Rukeh prepares to leave office, the FUPRE community celebrates a tenure that has redefined the institution’s trajectory, leaving behind a blueprint for sustained progress.
