It was another groundbreaking session at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, as the College of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in collaboration with the Institute of Governance and Development Studies (IGDS) - FUL, and NILDS, held the 2nd Edition of Workshop on Research Methodology for doctoral students on Saturday, 31st August 2024.

The workshop which was anchored by the Deputy Director of the IGDS, Dr Tosin Olagunju, drew seasoned scholars in the area of research methodology to deliver excellent papers, attending to all areas of research methodology. Among the facilitators were the Executive Director, Research Enterprise Systems, Abuja, Professor Fatai Aremu, and the Former Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Nasarawa State University, Professor A.S.A. Aruwa. Others were Professor I. G. Umaru from Kaduna State University; Drs. Zainab Abdul, Abdul Adamu and Ahmed A. Ibrahim.

Areas of research methodology covered by these erudite scholars include: Overview of Research; Defining a Research Problem; Literature Review; Data Collection Strategies; Data Analysis; Data Analysis; References and Bibliographies, and Research Reports, among others

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, appreciated the DG, NILDS and his entire staff for this great and promising partnership. He urged the doctoral students to remain focused and challenged to ensure the possibility of completing their programme within the stipulated three years.

In his welcome address, the Director, IGDS, Professor Ola-Rotimi Ajayi enjoined the students to take the rare opportunity provided by the Akinwumi-led Administration, stressing that acquiring a doctoral degree is not a tea-party affair.

The Provost, CPGS was not left out in addressing the students. He emphasized the importance of research methodology to the success of any doctoral programme. In his words, "research methodology minimizes bias and personal opinions. It allows for broader application of results. It enables verification and duplication of findings. It develops analytical skills and logical reasoning and identifies and addresses complex issues. Therefore, it is expected that at the end of today’s workshop, you all would have fantastic expansion of knowledge. He enjoined the students to pave the way for a deeper understanding of the significance of Research Methodology and contribute to the development of scholarship to enable them to navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom and understanding."

Appreciating the Vice-Chancellor and his team on behalf of the class, one of the doctoral students, Dolapo Badmos, stressed that the workshop was an eye-opener and orientation changer. She thanked the facilitators for the lectures well delivered. The workshop which lasted more than 10 hours was attended by over 150 doctoral students. See more pictures here