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The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has marked the first 100 days of the administration of its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, with gains in funding, accreditation and institutional reform.
Ibileye, who took over as the university’s fourth vice-chancellor on Feb. 16, said the milestone was observed as a moment of reflection and responsibility rather than celebration.
In a statement released in Lokoja on Wednesday, Ibileye said FUL had secured a $3 billion TETFund grant for a center of excellence in artificial intelligence, robotics and computer science and full National University Commission (NUC) accreditation for eight academic programmes.
Ibileye said the center will serve as a hub for advanced research, postgraduate training and high-value skills development for Kogi and the wider region
He described the period as deliberate work on “consolidation, innovation and sustainability for institutional resilience.
“One Hundred Days is not a destination; it is a checkpoint. These first few months have been dedicated, deliberately, to strengthening systems, clarifying processes, and stabilizing the academic calendar.
“We chose consolidation over spectacle and discipline over performance,” Ibileye said.
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He said additional funding secured includes: annual TETFund intervention, a NEEDS assessment grant of N335 million and special interventions of N700 million and N400 million for laboratory and classroom upgrades.
“A TETFund zonal grant of $300 million for infrastructure was also obtained.
“The administration also advanced a $3 billion public-private partnership for a model hotel project to support long-term financial sustainability,” Ibileye said.
He said the pioneering group from the College of Health Sciences passed the basic medical examination and progressed to basic clinical training, putting them on track to become the first generation of doctors trained entirely within Kogi.
He said the university has also established a Center for Translational Humanities to connect humanities research with real-world challenges.
According to him, governance reforms include advancing the Vision Plan 2026-2031 to the White Paper stage for consideration by the Governing Council and establishing committees on accreditation, professor appointments, endowment and security.
He added: “Engagement with security agencies and traditional institutions in Kogi has been intensified to strengthen the learning environment.
“With regards to infrastructure and welfare, my administration has renovated the toilets and wells at the Felele Permanent Campus, procured 200 sets of furniture for the classrooms and started renovation work on the Multipurpose Hall.
“Two roller coaster buses were delivered, 100 computers distributed to staff members with the support of James Faleke and a staff vehicle refurbishment loan program of N50 million was introduced.”
Ibileye noted that globally, FUL has secured access to the EU’s Erasmus+ program and advanced partnerships with Badr University, Cairo University, University of Pretoria, University of Manitoba and Walter Sisulu University.
“The work behind us is real; the work ahead is even greater. What we are building is not a season of announcements, but an institution that works,” he said.
Ibileye thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governing Council, NUC, TETFund, Federal Ministry of Education, Kogi Government, staff, students, partners and media.
(NAN)
