The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has marked the first 100 days of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye’s administration with gains in funding, accreditation, and institutional reform.

Mr Ibileye, who assumed office as the university’s fourth vice-chancellor on February 16, said the milestone was being observed as a moment for reflection and accountability rather than celebration.

In a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja, Mr Ibileye said FUL secured N3 billion TETFund grant for a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences and full National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation for eight academic programmes.

Mr Ibileye said the centre would 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.

The VC said, “One hundred days is not a destination; it is a checkpoint. These early months have been given, deliberately, to strengthening systems, clarifying processes and stabilising the academic calendar. We chose consolidation over spectacle and discipline over display.”

He stated that additional funding secured included TETFund’s annual intervention, a N335 million NEEDS Assessment grant, and special interventions of N700 million and N400 million for laboratory and classroom upgrades.

“A N300 million zonal TETFund grant was also obtained for infrastructure. The administration also advanced a N3 billion public-private partnership for a model hotel project to support long-term financial sustainability,” Mr Ibileye stated.

He said the pioneer cohort of the College of Health Sciences had passed the Basic Medical Examination and moved to Basic Clinical Training, putting them on track to become the first generation of medical doctors trained entirely within Kogi.

He said the university also established a Centre for Translational Humanities to link humanities research with real-world challenges.

According to him, governance reforms include advancing the Vision Plan 2026–2031 to White Paper stage for Governing Council consideration, and setting up committees on accreditation, professorial appointments, endowment, and security.

He added, “Engagement with security agencies and traditional institutions across Kogi was intensified to strengthen the learning environment.

“On infrastructure and welfare, my administration renovated lavatories and boreholes at the Felele Permanent Campus, procured 200 sets of classroom furniture, and began upgrades to the Multipurpose Hall.

“Two coaster buses were delivered, 100 computers distributed to members of staff with support from Mr  James Faleke, and a N50 million staff vehicle refurbishment loan scheme introduced.”

Mr Ibileye noted that globally, FUL had  secured a gateway into the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme 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 before us is greater still. What we are building is not a season of announcements, but an institution that works,” he said.

Mr Ibileye thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Governing Council, NUC, TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Kogi State government, staff, students, partners, and the media. 

(NAN)