// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Umaru Gomwalk? Gom-walking encyclopedia star.

Umaru D. Gomwalk was a Nigerian academic. He was the first Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri and the Sole Administrator of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1994-1998). He was also professor emeritus of Medicine of University of Nigeria Nsukka. He preceded Ginigeme Francis Mbanefoh as the sole administrator of the institution. His administration had crises to deal with from its take over of VC role from Oleka Udeala until handing over in 1999 with Ginigeme Francis Mbanefoh. Gomwalk was at various times a teacher and Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council and the Governing Council of the Nigerian National Merit Award. He died on May 12, 2019, at the age of 83.

Academic career

Gomwalk was a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he later received the title of Professor Emeritus. He served as the first Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) before his appointment at UNN.

In May 1994, General Sani Abacha appointed Gomwalk as Sole Administrator of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as part of a broader programme of appointing sole administrators to manage tertiary institutions across Nigeria during the military regime, a policy widely criticised by academics and student unions as an undermining of university autonomy. His administration navigated significant institutional crises from the time he took over from Vice Chancellor Oleka Udeala until he handed over to Ginigeme Francis Mbanefoh in 1999.

Outside his academic leadership roles, Gomwalk served as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian National Merit Award.