By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, has unveiled major achievements recorded within his first 100 days in office, highlighting significant interventions in infrastructure, academic development, research and institutional reforms.
Speaking in Lokoja on Tuesday through a statement personally signed by him, the Vice Chancellor said his administration remained focused on building strong institutional systems, ensuring stability and advancing the university’s long-term development agenda.
“I said on the day of my inauguration that this administration would 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 stated.
Professor Ibileye explained that the 100-day milestone was being observed not as a celebration, but as an opportunity for reflection, accountability and renewed commitment to institutional consolidation.
Among the major 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 him, the centre would position the university at the forefront of emerging technologies shaping the global economy and serve as a hub for advanced research, postgraduate training and high-level skills development for the institution and the wider region.
The Vice Chancellor further disclosed that the university also secured the annual TETFund intervention alongside a ₦335 million NEEDS Assessment intervention to support infrastructure development, academic facilities and other priority needs of the institution.
He added that special interventions of ₦700 million and ₦400 million from TETFund had been approved for the upgrade of laboratories and classrooms to improve the teaching and research environment for both staff and students.
Professor Ibileye also revealed that the institution secured a ₦300 million zonal intervention from TETFund to further strengthen critical infrastructure within the university.
On financial sustainability, he stated that a ₦3 billion Public-Private Partnership investment for the development of a model hotel project initiated by the previous administration had been consolidated and significantly advanced.
He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy aimed at combining public funding with private sector investment to guarantee the university’s long-term financial viability.
In the area of academic advancement, the Vice Chancellor announced that the National Universities Commission had granted full accreditation to eight academic programmes, including Mass Communication, Computer Science, Education Mathematics, Integrated Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Sociology.
He noted that the accreditation further strengthened the university’s academic standing and affirmed the quality of its teaching, facilities and faculty.
Professor Ibileye also disclosed that the pioneer students of the College of Health Sciences had successfully passed the Basic Medical Examination and progressed to Basic Clinical Training.
He said the development positioned them to become the first generation of medical doctors trained entirely within Kogi State upon completion of their programme.
The Vice Chancellor said several strategic committees had also been constituted to strengthen the university’s institutional framework, including the Central Accreditation Committee, Professor of Practice Committee, Professorial Endowment Committee and Security Committee.
He added that a Central Examination Office had been established to coordinate and standardise examination processes across the university in order to strengthen academic integrity and quality assurance.
On security and community relations, Professor Ibileye said the university had intensified engagement with external stakeholders through strategic meetings with security, intelligence and paramilitary agencies to enhance safety on campus.
He added that visits had also been undertaken to traditional institutions across Kogi State to strengthen town-and-gown relations and promote community goodwill.
The Vice Chancellor pledged to sustain the momentum recorded within the first 100 days, with priority attention to the accreditation of the Nursing programme, formal adoption of the university’s Vision Plan 2026–2031 by Senate and Governing Council, and continued strengthening of the College of Health Sciences.
