By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) will on Saturday, present certificates to 5,051 students who successfully completed their programmes during the 2024/2025 academic session.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this on Monday during a pre-convocation press briefing to mark the commencement of activities for the university’s 9th convocation ceremony.
According to Akinwumi, the graduands comprise 3,466 undergraduates, 838 postgraduates, and 747 diploma students. He noted that 35 students graduated with First Class honours, 760 with Second Class Upper, 383 with Third Class, while one student graduated with a Pass.
Mallam Sherif Ohieku Haruna from the Department of Geology, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.77, emerged as the overall best graduating student.
Highlighting the institution’s progress, Akinwumi stated that FUL has evolved from a modest university into a multi-faculty institution with expanded academic offerings, new programmes, and modern facilities.
He emphasized that all newly introduced programmes have been resource-verified and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies. This, he said, has repositioned FUL as a comprehensive university addressing national manpower needs and aligning with global educational trends.
The Vice Chancellor also noted significant academic growth, with 32 inaugural lectures delivered since he assumed office, compared to only two before his tenure. The university has also hosted 20 public lectures aimed at strengthening engagement between the institution and society.
He added that the number of professors and senior academics has risen considerably, enhancing teaching and research quality. Both academic and non-academic staff, he said, continue to benefit from regular promotions, reflecting the university’s commitment to maintaining a motivated workforce.
On infrastructure, Prof. Akinwumi disclosed that the university has witnessed notable transformation despite limited funding. Ongoing projects include a $200 million solar power farm being constructed under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank.
“I stand fulfilled that we have collectively moved the Federal University Lokoja forward. This progress is evident in the expansion of programmes, infrastructural growth, and the strengthening of academic and ethical culture,” Akinwumi stated.
