Saliu honoured with book presentation
By Abubakar Imam
Last Wednesday (May 6, 2026) was another great day in the life and career of a former Dean of the old Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Hassan Ajisafe Saliu, as dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the campus of the Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, for the public presentation of a book in his honour.
The event, which was held at the Multipurpose Hall, FUL, Felele Campus, featured the presentation of a Festschrift, titled “The Administration of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and the Implications for National Development”.
The 32-chapter publication, which was edited by versatile academics and seasoned administrators, is a tribute to Prof. Saliu’s contributions to the fields of Political Science, International Relations, and national development discourse.
Among those who attended the event in honour of Prof. Saliu, who is also the National President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), were members of the management teams of both the Federal University, Lokoja; and Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayangba, Kogi State; the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. A.Y. Muhammed; the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin and Member of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Jawondo, representatives of the NPSA National Executive Council, and several scholars from across the country.
Former President of the NPSA, Prof. Shuaib Ibrahim, was the Chairman of the occasion while the Wakili of Ilorin and former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mashood Mustapha, was also represented at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, reaffirmed the readiness of the University to always collaborate on initiatives that would promote national development.
Reviewing the book, a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Federal University, Lokoja, Rotimi Ajayi, described the publication as a significant contribution to scholarship on Nigeria’s foreign policy and governance.
Prof. Ajayi, who previously taught at the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, pointed out that the honour accorded Prof. Saliu was befitting and well deserved in view of his numerous contributions.
A documentary shown at the event highlighted Prof. Saliu’s academic journey from Ahmadiyya Secondary School and Federal Government College, Kano, to Bayero University, Kano, where he graduated as the best student of his set in 1987.
The citation also traced his postgraduate studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and his eventual doctoral studies at Bayero University, where he earned a Ph.D. with distinction.
Speakers at the ceremony noted that Prof. Saliu has authored and edited more than 600 scholarly works, including books, journal articles, and book chapters, while also serving in several administrative capacities at the University of Ilorin.
They further praised the contributions of the former Dean to institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Leadership Forum, the Federal Government, and the National Assembly.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayangba, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, commended Prof. Saliu for his mentorship and contributions to the development of younger scholars as he stressed the importance of creating opportunities for others to succeed in academia.
