Lokoja University records gains as VC Ibileye marks 100 days in office

The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has recorded significant institutional progress in the first 100 days of Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye’s presidency as Vice-Chancellor, with major gains in funding, academic development, infrastructure and global partnerships.

Professor Ibileye, who assumed office on 16 February 2026 as the institution’s fourth vice-chancellor, marked this milestone with a call for reflection, responsibility and continued commitment to institutional growth rather than celebration.

Recalling some of his many achievements in Lokoja, the vice-chancellor described the first 100 days as a “checkpoint”.

He emphasized that the administration has focused on strengthening systems, stabilizing academic processes and creating a solid foundation for long-term development.

One of the highlights of the period, he said, was attracting a ₦3 billion intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the creation of a center of excellence in artificial intelligence, robotics and computer science.

According to him, the project should position the university at the forefront of emerging technologies and improve research capacity.

“Additional funding secured includes the annual TETFund intervention, an allocation of ₦335 million for the NEEDS assessment, and special grants totaling over ₦1.4 billion for the upgrade of laboratories, classrooms and critical infrastructure.

“The university has also spearheaded a ₦3 billion public-private partnership initiative to develop a model hotel to increase financial sustainability”

On the academic front, the Vice Chancellor revealed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation to eight programmes, including Mass Communication, Computer Science, Biochemistry and Sociology, further strengthening the academic position of the institution.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted advancements in medical education, noting that pioneer students from the College of Health Sciences have successfully transitioned into clinical training, paving the way for the emergence of the first batch of doctors trained entirely in Kogi State.

Speaking on governance and institutional reform, Prof. Ibileye revealed that the university has advanced its Vision Plan 2026-2031 to the White Paper stage, established a central examinations office and created strategic committees to enhance accreditation, security and academic excellence.

“Improvements to infrastructure and welfare have also been recorded, including improving water and sanitation systems on the Felele campus, sourcing classroom furniture, delivering buses for staff and students and introducing a £50 million loan scheme for refurbishing staff vehicles.

“To increase student engagement, the administration has introduced the ‘Vice Chancellor for a Day’ initiative, while ensuring the construction of a three-storey secondary school within the campus through the National Commission for Higher Secondary Education,” he said.