Our History and Traditions

Establishment of Federal University Lokoja (FUL)

The Federal University Lokoja was established along with eight (8) other new Federal universities on the 16th of February 2011 following a pronouncement by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The aim was not only to accelerate equitable access to higher education in Nigeria but also to build institutions that can support Nigeria’s drive for rapid development through the availability of quality manpower and a knowledge base to drive competitiveness.

Soon afterwards, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor and Registrar in the persons of Professor Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi and Mrs. Habiba Anavoza Adeiza were appointed respectively. The current and fourth Vice-Chancellor of the University is Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, a Professor of Pragmatics who assumed office on 16th February 2026, while the current Registrar is Dr. (Mrs) Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie - a seasoned administrator.

The University is situated in Lokoja, the capital and confluence city of Kogi State, Nigeria (where the two (2) great rivers Niger and Benue meet) in the North Central political zone. Lokoja is a city drenched in history being the first settlement of the British in Nigeria.

FUL operates two campuses with the main campus (Permanent Site) located along Lokoja-Okene expressway, Felele, Lokoja; while the College of Health Sciences (Adankolo Campus) is located behind the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. The University's Liaison Office is located at No. 20 Mamman Kotangora Crescent, Katampe, Abuja (Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria).

The motto of the University is Sic itur ad astra (Latin phrase); which means The Sky is the Limit. 

The University started with only two (2) Faculties and eleven Departments/Programmes in the 2012/2013 academic session and grew to about five (5) Faculties; with additional Colleges, Institutes, Schools, and several Directorates. The pioneer programmes offered by the University during the 2012/2013 academic session are as follows:

The Faculties, Departments, and Programmes in the University are as follows:

For the full list of the current Faculties, Departments, Programmes and General Admission Requirements, click here

Past and Current Administrations:

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa CFR, CON, the Emir of Fika & Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Emirs	Chancellor	2015-to date

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Chief Hon. Innocent Ugo Chima, OON	First Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman	2015-2016
2.	Emeritus Prof. Nimi Dimkpa Briggs (Deceased)	Second Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman	2016-2020
3.	Senator Chris Iheanyichukwu Adighije, PhD	Third Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman	2020-2023
4.	Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, CON	Fourth Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman	2024
5.	Engr. Kayode Olubunmi Ojo	Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman (Replacement)	2024
6.	Prof. Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi	Current Pro-Chancellor & Council Chairman	2025-to date

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Prof. Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi	Pioneer Vice-Chancellor	2011-2016
2.	Prof. Angela Freeman Miri	Second Vice-Chancellor	2016-2021
3.	Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akimwumi	Third Vice-Chancellor	2021-2026
4.	Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye	Fourth and Current Vice-Chancellor	2026-to date

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Prof. Makanjuola Olayemisi Osagbemi	Pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor	2016-2020
2.	Prof. Mohammed Suleiman Audu	Second Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)	2021-2025
3.	Prof. Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala	Pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)	2021-2025
4.	Prof. Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala	Second Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)	2025-to date
5.	Prof. Salihu Danlami Musa	Second Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)	2025
6.	Prof. Salihu Danlami Musa	Third Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)	2025-to date
7.	Professor Jacqueline Azumi Badaki	Third Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)	2025-to date	Picture

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Mrs. Habiba Anavoza Adeiza	Pioneer Registrar	2011-2017
2.	Adm. Usman Suleman Obansa	Second Registrar	2017-2022
3.	Dr. (Mrs.) Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie	Third and Current Registrar	2022-to date

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Dr. Kareem Adekunle Sanusi	Pioneer University Librarian	2011-2015
2.	Prof. Ezra Shiloba Gbaje	Second University Librarian (1st substantive)	2015-2020
3.	Prof. Sarah Dauda Yani	Third and Current University Librarian	2020-to date

S/N	Name	Position	Duration	Photograph
1.	Mr. Ola Samuel Ariyo (Deceased)	First Chief Accountant	2011-2012
2.	Mr. Alhassan Sheikh Ibrahim	Pioneer Bursar	2015-2020
3.	Mr. Sule John Shilo	Second and Current Bursar	2020-to date