It was a mutual feeling of great joy for the heads of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP) as both institutions formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in what has been described as an “academic marriage of bliss” that promises immense benefits for students, staff, and the society at large.

Speaking during the ceremonial signing held at the Senate Building on Friday, August 22nd, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed deep satisfaction over the collaboration, noting that the partnership would stand as one of his parting gifts to the University. He stressed that the MoU was designed not only to benefit candidates who would take advantage of it, but also to serve humanity and contribute to the educational advancement of Kogi State and beyond, while recalling a similar affiliation and MoU entered with Auchi Polytechnic earlier in December 2023. “I am happy to be here to sign this MoU, which will stand as a testimony to what we can achieve when we choose to collaborate,” Prof. Akinwumi announced with joy. 

The VC expressed profound appreciation to the leadership of KSP under the Rector, Professor Usman Ogbo, for embracing the terms of the agreement, describing him as a dogged and visionary leader. He also commended the Principal Officers and Management team of FUL, particularly the Director of the Center for Distance and E-Learning, Professor Musa Adeku Ibrahim, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Benjamin Mopah Dauda, and the Acting Head of ICT, Mr. Peter Akintokunbo, for their tireless efforts in midwifing the partnership. Barrister Amina Aliyu Ahmadu, the Head of the Legal Unit of the University, was equally praised for painstakingly vetting the MoU and ensuring that due diligence was followed.

In his remarks, the Rector of KSP, Professor Usman Ogbo, expressed delight over the collaboration, which he described as robust, strategic, and timely. He highlighted his Institution’s accomplishments — in terms of robust infrastructure, manpower development, programme accreditation, and security improvement — that would guarantee the success of the partnership.

“We have introduced 19 new programmes, all fully accredited, and improved security to encourage teaching and learning. This collaboration is the icing on the cake for us as a Polytechnic. It gives us the advantage of quality assurance and positions us for even greater impact,” Prof. Ogbo remarked. He pledged his unalloyed commitment to the MoU, assuring that history would be kind to Prof. Akinwumi for his innovation, generosity, and visionary leadership.

Earlier, while giving a background to the MoU, the Director, Center for Distance and E-learning, Professor Musa Adeku Ibrahim, described the agreement as “a dream come true,” stressing that the MoU would serve as a model for collaboration between universities and polytechnics. He emphasized that such partnerships would foster cross-fertilization of ideas, strengthen academic bonds, and accelerate the growth of higher education in Nigeria. Professor Ibrahim recalled that the move began with a letter of intent from the State-owned Polytechnic on 12th February 2025, which was subsequently approved by FUL Senate on 7th August 2025, following an oversight visit to KSP for verification and resource assessment.

Similarly, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala, in his vote of thanks, congratulated the two institutions for achieving the milestone. He noted that the partnership would bring lasting benefits in manpower development, exchange programme, equipment sharing, joint research, and capacity building, just as the heads of the tertiary institutions reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the MoU becomes a reality and delivers on its promise of providing mutual benefits to the institutions, the state, and humanity at large.

The MoU, which covers the establishment of a Study Centre at the main campus of the Polytechnic for the running of undergraduate degree and Top-Up programmes, provides for full-time (Monday to Friday) for four semesters, and part-time programmes (Friday and Saturday) for six semesters, with provisions for joint monitoring, JAMB approvals, and quality assessment. It also provides opportunities for interested applicants to apply for courses through UTME and Direct Entry that will facilitate the conversion of Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates into corresponding undergraduate degrees. See more pictures here 

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