The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has been awarded a N3 billion grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to set up a Centre of Excellence dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences. The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, during a press briefing on Monday, ahead of the university's 10th Convocation scheduled for Saturday.
Prof. Ibileye, who assumed office in February, described the grant as one of several major milestones achieved under his administration aimed at repositioning FUL as a leading institution for research, innovation and technological development. He said the proposed centre would serve as a platform for cutting-edge research, collaboration and capacity building in emerging technologies.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, FUL has submitted more than 50 research grant proposals to national and international funding agencies since the appointment of its first Grants Officer, Dr Grace Korter. The university has also made notable progress in academic development, with eight programmes securing full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while 10 others are currently undergoing accreditation.
Additionally, 14 new programmes — including Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, Software Engineering, Psychology, Social Work and Criminology and Security Studies — commenced with pioneer students in the 2026/2027 academic session. "Expansion must never outpace quality. Growth must be matched by the resources, systems and capabilities required to sustain it," Prof. Ibileye said.
At the 10th Convocation, 5,638 students will graduate, comprising 4,828 first- degree graduands, 182 diploma recipients and 628 postgraduate graduands. Three prominent Nigerians — Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Chief Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and veteran journalist Mr Babajide Kolade-Otitoju — will receive honorary degrees. The convocation will also mark the graduation of the pioneer class of the Centre for Safety Management, consisting of 22 master's degree candidates and 11 postgraduate diploma candidates.
On infrastructure, Prof. Ibileye revealed that the university had deployed 10 Starlink terminals to improve internet connectivity and had begun implementing a new Learning Management System for digital and blended learning. All 100-level courses have been uploaded on the platform. The university is also pursuing a N3 billion public-private partnership hostel project and has accessed several TETFund interventions, including N335 million for NEEDS Assessment, N700 million and N400 million for laboratory and classroom development, and a N300 million zonal intervention.
Construction of the General Science Laboratory Building at the Felele Campus, supported by BUA Group, has reached the roofing stage. A pedestrian flyover at the university's main gate has also commenced following the completion of geotechnical investigations. On staff development, 21 academic staff have benefited from the TETFund Academic Staff Training and Development Scheme, with N158.9 million approved for their programmes. Ninety-nine out of 109 applications for TETFund conference sponsorship were approved, while all 109 applications from non-academic staff were successful. The university also introduced a N50 million vehicle refurbishment loan scheme for staff and acquired buses and electric tricycles to improve campus transportation.
On student welfare, NELFUND disbursements of about N188 million and N199 million benefited 1,631 and 1,665 students, respectively. The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university's "Vice-Chancellor for a Day" initiative as part of efforts to expose students to leadership and institutional decision- making.
In terms of international partnerships, Prof. Ibileye said FUL had secured access to the European Union's Erasmus+ programme and was strengthening ties with universities in Egypt, South Africa and Canada. The institution renewed its partnership with Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and signed an MoU with the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology in Lokoja. He acknowledged that challenges remained, particularly in accommodation, roads, infrastructure, utilities and funding, but assured that the administration would continue to pursue strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation to address the gaps.
The 10th Convocation, themed "Fifteen Years, Ten Convocations: Consolidating Excellence, Building Partnerships and Shaping the Future," will hold at the university's Main Campus, Felele, Lokoja. The ceremony will be streamed online to enable families, graduands and international students unable to attend in person to participate.