Tinubu Mourns First Education Professor From Northern Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of a foremost educationist and the first Professor of Education from Northern Nigeria, Professor Adamu Baikie.

Professor Baikie, who passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 94, was buried on December 23.

He was at various times vice chancellor of the University of Benin (1978 – 1985), University of Lesotho (1988 – 1995) and the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (2002 – 2009)

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, Tinubu described the late education administrator as a respected teacher, mentor, and a revered community leader who provided exceptional leadership to Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.

He described Baikie’s death as a massive loss to the Nigerian education sector and the country.

“The death of Prof Baikie at the ripe age of 94 closed an impactful chapter of national service. It is a blow to our educational system, where the deceased played pioneering roles, especially in tertiary education.

“History will long remember Prof Baikie for his stewardship at the University of Benin and, later, as a Nigerian appointed to lead a foreign university, and as the pioneer vice chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi,” the President said.

Tinubu condoled the Baikie family, his protégés and students over the irreparable loss.