The Board of Regents, Covenant University, has announced the appointment of Professor Timothy Ashibel Anake as the 6th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
This announcement was made during a special meeting of the Board with the University Management on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Professor Anake replaces Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, who had been the Vice-Chancellor since the exit from office of the Ag Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akan Williams, who stepped in after the expiration of the tenure of the 4th Vice-Chancellor, Professor AAA. Atayero.
Professor Anake is a distinguished academic and administrator with over a decade of experience in teaching, research, educational planning, and leadership, who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Covenant University’s vision and strategic direction.
He possesses a robust understanding of curriculum development and global education policies, coupled with a keen awareness of international trends in curriculum-related issues.
His journey began in the modest classrooms of Ketting Primary School, Ketting-Bendi, in Obanliku Local Government Area, of Cross Rivers State, and Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State.
His passion for mathematics led him to the University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he obtained a B.Sc (Honours) degree in Mathematics in the year 2000, and later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, in 2002, where he was awarded an M.Sc degree in Mathematics in 2004.
Professor Anake joined the services of Covenant University in October 2006 as an Assistant Lecturer, where he also enrolled for his Ph.D and was awarded a Ph.D in Mathematics by the University in 2011.
He has served the University in different capacities, as a Postgraduate Coordinator in the Mathematics Department, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of the College of Science and Technology and Director of the Academic Planning Unit.
He rose through the ranks to become an Associate Professor at Covenant University and is currently a Professor of Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, Covenant University.
Today, Professor Anake has become a beacon of excellence in higher education. With over two decades of experience, his groundbreaking contributions to numerical methods, fractional-order differential equations, stability analysis, stochastic processes, and ecological restoration place him among the most respected minds in applied and pure mathematics.
A prolific scholar, Professor Anake has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier international journals indexed by Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. His work cited over 872 times with an impressive h-index of 15 and i10-index of 20, has garnered global recognition for addressing critical scientific and environmental challenges.
His seminal works, such as Continuous Implicit Hybrid Multistep Method for Ordinary Differential Equations and Mathematical Modelling for Green Belt Development (Sustainability, 2022), are celebrated for their depth and real-world impact.
Honoured as a nominee for the prestigious 3rd Heidelberg Laureate Forum in 2015, a prestigious global event that connects eminent mathematicians and computer scientists, including Turing Nobel Prize winners and Fields Medalists, Professor Anake has presented his research at numerous international conferences, earning accolades for his ability to inspire and engage a global audience of experts.
Beyond his research, Professor Anake’s leadership has left a transformative legacy in academia. As Dean of the College of Science and Technology (2022–2024), he orchestrated the College’s first International Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation. As Director of the Academic Planning Unit (2019–2022), he aligned Covenant University’s academic programs with global benchmarks, fostering excellence in teaching and research, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure as Dean of Student Affairs (2017–2018), he championed holistic student development, creating a thriving academic environment. Additionally, he has served as Postgraduate Coordinator and Head of the Department of Mathematics (2015 -2016), leading curriculum development and supervising research at the postgraduate level.
Professor Anake’s mentorship has shaped the careers of many young mathematicians and scientists. He has supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate theses and dissertations, including Ph.D candidates who have made notable contributions. His commitment to capacity building and education is evident as an external examiner and assessor of doctoral thesis and Master’s dissertations for academic institutions across Nigeria.
Professor Anake’s professional affiliations reflect his standing in the global academic community. He is a member of the Nigerian Mathematical Society (NMS), Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics (NAMP), and Edinburgh Mathematical Society (EMS). A seasoned peer reviewer and former editorial board member of the Covenant Journal of Physical and Life Sciences, he continues to shape the frontiers of mathematical and scientific knowledge.
An advocate of technology-driven education, Professor Anake integrates tools like MATLAB, SPSS, LaTeX, and Moodle into teaching and research, exemplifying innovation in academia.
Prof. Anake’s remarkable journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to education, innovation, and transformational leadership—qualities that continue to inspire the global academic and scientific communities.
A devout Christian and Pastor at Faith Tabernacle under the Living Faith Church Worldwide (LFCWW), Professor Anake exemplifies servant leadership. He is happily married to Dr. Winifred Uduak Anake, and they are proud parents of a set of fraternal twins.
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