The Senate of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has approved an affiliation between FUL and Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State for the latter to run some undergraduate programmes of the University following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two Institutions.

The Management of Federal University Lokoja led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi had received its Auchi Polytechnic counterpart led by the Rector, Dr. Salisu S. Umar on 17th October, 2023 where the two Institutions signed an agreement, marking a significant milestone in their pursuit of academic excellence and providing quality education to the students.

In a memo presented at the 80th meeting of Senate held on 19th December 2023, the Vice-Chancellor said that the University received a letter of intent from the Management of Auchi Polytechnic on 2nd December 2022, expressing interest in affiliation with the Federal University Lokoja to run some undergraduate programmes and in response, the University promptly initiated a comprehensive process and appointed a three-member team led by Prof. Musa Adeku Ibrahim, the Director of Distance and E-learning, to conduct a thorough resource verification at the Polytechnic.

Prof. Akinwumi noted that after diligent examination, the University Affiliation Team presented a favourable report on the resource verification visit to the Principal Officers Committee (POC) on the 12th of June 2023, after which the POC mandated the team to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) together with Auchi Polytechnic team to be signed by the two Institutions.

Speaking further, he said: "The collaborative efforts continued, culminating in the signing of the MoU on the 17th of October 2023, at the Federal University Lokoja. The signing ceremony involved key representatives, namely, Dr. Salisu S. Umar (the Rector of Auchi Polytechnic), Mrs. Felicia Eshiotse (Registrar of Auchi Polytechnic), Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi (the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja), and Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie (the Registrar of the Federal University Lokoja)."

The VC assured that the collaboration offers both Institutions valuable gains and opportunities, requesting the Senate to carefully consider and give its approval to enable subsequent actions by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as part of the requirements. Thereafter, members of the Senate unanimously approved the said partnership.

Earlier, announcing the signing of the MoU via his official Facebook handle, the Rector, Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu S. Umar, who was filled with great joy, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, and the entire Management of FUL for their willingness to collaborate with the Polytechnic in the affiliation of degree programmes, adding that the partnership would "undoubtedly open new horizons for our students, enabling them to obtain a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills."

"The degree programmes covered under this affiliation are B.Sc in Mass Communication, Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry, Banking and Finance, Public Administration, Computer Science, Statistics, and Microbiology. These programmes have been carefully selected to cater to the diverse interests and aspirations of our students. By offering these degree programmes, we aim to empower our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their chosen fields.

"I want to also thank the team of Auchi Polytechnic, the Registrar Mrs. Felicia Eshiotse, Dr. Simon Eigbe the Director of Degree Programmes, and our Director, Academic Planning Dr. Augustine E. Ainabor, who have all worked tirelessly to make this collaboration a reality. Their dedication and commitment to the growth and development of our institution are truly commendable. I am confident that with the support and dedication of every staff, our students will be well-prepared to face the challenges of the future.

"I am certain that this affiliation will be the beginning of a fruitful and enduring partnership between Auchi Polytechnic and FUL. Together, we will shape the future of education and empower our students to become leaders and innovators in their respective fields," the Rector assured.

Auchi Polytechnic is one of the leading Polytechnics in Nigeria with over 8,000 students offering various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Business, Technology, and Arts with world-class state-of-the-art facilities. It is one of the first four (4) Polytechnics in Nigeria, founded in 1963, first, as a technical college and later in 1973 as a Polytechnic, with the aim of producing well trained and highly skilled middle level manpower in the areas of engineering technology, science environmental studies, Management studies and Art & Design.

See more pictures of the signing here