Professor Umaru Alhaji Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere in Gombe State, has been elected a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).
His election was approved by the College of Fellows during a meeting held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
The Academy also announced other new Fellows—both Regular and Overseas—as well as Honorary Fellows and recipients of its 2025 Awards of Excellence in Humanistic Practice.
Professor Pate, a scholar in Communication and Media Studies, was recognized for his work in journalism education and university leadership.
A statement from NAL said the formal investiture of Professor Pate and other newly elected Fellows will take place on August 14, 2025, during the Academy’s 27th Convocation at the University of Lagos.
“The investiture of the new Fellows and the conferment of awards will take place during the Academy’s 27th Convocation,” the statement read.
Other newly elected Fellows include Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole and Professor Temisanren Ebijuwa in Classical Studies, Philosophy, and Religions; Professor Emeritus Alkasum Abba in Historical Studies; and Professors Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti, Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, and Victor Chiagozie Ariole in Literary Studies.
In Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, Theatre, Visual and Performing Arts, the Fellows are Professors Mohammed Inuwa Umar-Buratai, Ameh Dennis Akoh, and Charles Emeka Nwadigwe.
In Linguistics, Professors Gideon Sunday Omachonu and Obiajulu Augustine Emejulu were named. Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran was elected an Overseas Fellow in Historical Studies.
New Honorary Fellows include the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe; Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo; and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju.
The 2025 Award of Excellence in Humanistic Practice will go to Laolu Ogunniyi, Teju Wasee Kareem, and Musa Alao Adedayo.
NAL said the event will mark a moment to reflect on “the profound contributions of these individuals to humanistic scholarship and practice.”
