…as VC Ibileye marks 100 days in office

‎By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja 

‎‎The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has recorded major institutional, academic and infrastructural milestones within the first 100 days of the administration of its fourth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Ibileye.

‎‎Professor Ibileye, who assumed office on February 16, 2026, marked the milestone on Monday with a reflection on the achievements of the institution under his leadership, anchored on the administration’s vision of “Consolidation, Innovation and Sustainability for Institutional Resilience.”

‎‎Among the landmark achievements highlighted was the securing of a ₦3 billion intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences.

‎‎According to the Vice-Chancellor, the centre is expected to position the university at the forefront of emerging technologies while serving as a hub for advanced research, postgraduate training and high-level skills development.

‎‎The institution also secured other interventions from TETFund, including annual allocations, a ₦335 million NEEDS Assessment fund, and special interventions worth ₦700 million and ₦400 million for the upgrade of laboratories and classrooms.

‎‎A ₦3 billion Public-Private Partnership investment for the development of a model hotel project initiated by the previous administration was also consolidated and advanced as part of efforts to strengthen the university’s long-term financial sustainability.

‎‎Speaking on the milestone, Professor Ibileye described the first 100 days not as a destination but as “a checkpoint.”

‎‎“One hundred days is not a destination; it is a checkpoint. This administration will be remembered not for how loudly it spoke, but for how well the University worked, for the strength of its systems, the clarity of its processes and the stability of its calendar,” he said.

‎‎On academic advancement, the university disclosed that it secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission for eight programmes, including Mass Communication, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Sociology.

‎‎The university also announced that the pioneer students of its College of Health Sciences had successfully passed their Basic Medical Examination and advanced to clinical training, paving the way for what could become the first set of medical doctors trained entirely within Kogi State.

‎‎As part of governance reforms, the university said it had advanced its Vision Plan 2026–2031 to White Paper stage and constituted strategic committees aimed at strengthening institutional systems.

‎‎”A Central Examination Office was also established to standardise and safeguard the integrity of examinations across faculties.

‎‎”The administration further strengthened engagement with security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to enhance security and community relations.

‎‎”In the area of infrastructure and welfare, the university renovated water and sanitation facilities at the Felele Permanent Campus, procured about 200 classroom furniture sets and commenced upgrade works on the Multipurpose Hall.

‎‎”Two coaster buses were also acquired to ease transportation challenges, while a ₦50 million Staff Vehicle Refurbishment Loan Scheme was introduced to support workers.

‎‎”The administration equally distributed 100 computers to staff members across faculties and departments through the support of James Abiodun Faleke.

‎‎”The university also secured the construction of a three-storey permanent secondary school on campus through the National Senior Secondary Education Commission.”

‎‎On international collaboration, FUL said it had secured access into the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme through partnership with Nasarawa State University.

‎‎The university also advanced partnerships with Cairo University, University of Pretoria, University of Manitoba and Walter Sisulu University, among others.

‎‎Professor Ibileye assured that the administration would sustain the momentum, with immediate priorities including accreditation of the Nursing programme, adoption of the Vision Plan 2026–2031 and continued strengthening of the College of Health Sciences.

‎‎“The work behind us is real; the work before us is greater still. The structural deficits of more than a decade will not yield to a hundred days. We will move deliberately, sustainably and together,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

‎‎He expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the university’s Governing Council, TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Kogi State Government, staff, students and development partners for their support to the institution.

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