From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has matriculated a total of 9,097 students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this on Friday in Lokoja during the institution’s 14th matriculation ceremony, held at the university’s mini field.
Professor Akinwumi said the newly admitted students had successfully met the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations as well as the university’s screening exercise. According to him, the figure reflects the competitive nature of the admission process and FUL’s commitment to merit, quality and academic excellence.
Describing matriculation as a significant academic ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the students for their perseverance and determination in attaining the milestone, noting that the exercise formally admits them into the university community.
“It is for this reason that matriculation is marked by an oath-taking exercise, which binds you morally and legally to the rules, regulations, and authority of the University,” he said.
Professor Akinwumi added that the ceremony was particularly significant to him, as it marked the last set of students admitted under his administration as the third Vice-Chancellor of the university.
“I therefore receive you with a deep sense of fulfilment and pride. I am confident that you will build upon the solid foundations laid by this administration and fully embrace our philosophy that the sky is our limit,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to take their academic work seriously, warning that any student with less than 75 per cent class attendance would not be eligible to sit for end-of-semester examinations.
“Attendance is not optional; it is mandatory,” he stressed, adding that the university has zero tolerance for examination misconduct and malpractice, with severe penalties for offenders.
He also advised the students to avoid drug abuse and substance use, describing them as destructive habits that ruin lives and futures. He further urged them to remain security conscious, report suspicious activities promptly, and shun all forms of violent protest.
“Dialogue, not violence, remains the acceptable means of engagement,” he said.
Quoting Aristotle, Professor Akinwumi reminded the students that excellence is a habit, not an act, adding that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
