In a strategic move to formalize a mutually beneficial legal framework for joint research, training, and policy development in contemporary peacebuilding and conflict resolution, the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive the partnership.

The official signing of the pact took place on Tuesday, 7th July 2026, at the IPCR's head office in Abuja, with top management of both federal institutions present to witness the exercise and commit themselves to a lifelong partnership that will open a new vista of opportunities in peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives and advance academic collaboration between the two parties.

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution is a research centre and think-tank agency, established in February 2000, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for the promotion of peace and conflict management and resolution. 

With the formalized partnership, FUL and IPCR will engage in academic and professional development activities, including lectureship exchange programmes, internship placements, joint research, publications, specialized training workshops, and conferences. The collaboration also covers joint efforts in securing external research funding and translating research outcomes into strategic policy implementations for federal and state governments. 

Speaking during the signing, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, expressed joy that the process, which began under the previous administration, has come to fruition under his tenure, noting that the university was fully committed to ensuring the success of the partnership. 

Ibileye, who stressed the importance of leadership continuity, saying it makes government easier through institutional memory, recalled how he was part of the partnership process, which was initiated by his predecessor in February 2024, alongside other members of the delegation from the university, describing the signing of the agreement as a "serious collaboration."

"We're here today to reactivate the dormant process and reaffirm our commitment to sustaining this collaboration. We assure you that the partnership will be run in the full spirit of this agreement," he said, adding that his level of commitment underscored the impatience of the university in concluding the partnership arrangement as well as his pledge to making each day in office count.

The Vice-Chancellor therefore thanked the Director General (DG), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, and management of the Institute for their cooperation and willingness to forge a robust partnership with a university like FUL. He equally appreciated members of his management team for their continued support and commitment to ensuring that the long-discussed collaboration was officially signed and sealed, marking a new chapter in the university's partnership drive.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated Professor Gbenga Ibileye on his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja. He thanked the university for showing interest in the partnership, assuring that the agency was also committed to making it work.

The DG particularly commended the Vice-Chancellor's sterling leadership qualities and clear understanding of good governance, drawing specific reference from the recent highly circulated video of the Vice-Chancellor speaking on responsible leadership in commemoration of his 100 days in office, which went viral on social media, noting that the impact of that speech was far-reaching.

He highlighted the possibilities and opportunities that the collaboration would bring to both institutions, including training and a joint research proposal on broader West African studies to TETFund for funding intervention, which is a specialized area the university could explore as a result of the signed partnership.

In her vote of thanks, the Registrar, Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, expressed the goodwill and felicitations of Council, Senate, Management, staff and students of Federal University Lokoja to the management of the Institute. She thanked the DG for the warm reception and commitment to a sustainable partnership, assuring him that the university would not disappoint the agency.

Other officials from the university who witnessed the signing included the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Rotimi Ajayi; the Director of Legal Services, Barr. Amina Aliyu Ahmadu; Deputy Director, Protocol, Mr. Daniel Nwankwo; Digital Media and Communication Officer, Mr. Chris Yahaya; Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Yakpe Tsebam; and the Personal Assistant to the Registrar, Nakup Kefas, among others. See more pictures here

© Directorate of Strategic Communication and Corporate Documentation
Federal University Lokoja