PRESS BRIEFING BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA, PROFESSOR OLAYEMI AKINWUMI ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 8TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA HELD ON OCTOBER 21, 2024 AT FELELE CAMPUS

Protocol

• Principal Officers of the University
• Provosts, Deans, and Directors
• Heads of Departments/Units
• Professors
• Members of the 8th Convocation Planning Committee
• Distinguished Members of the Press
• Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God that I address you today as we commence the activities marking the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL). This convocation is particularly significant, as it is the third ceremony since I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of this great institution.

I welcome you to this auspicious meeting where I will be briefing you on the giant strides the University has made since the last 6th and 7th Combined Convocation Ceremony which held on October 21, 2023.

GRADUATION STATISTICS FOR THE 8TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

In this year’s convocation ceremony, a total of 1,863 students will be conferred with first degrees, 117 students with diplomas, and 216 with Postgraduate comprising Ph.D, Master’s, and PGD. The classification of degrees to be awarded is as follows:

ANALYSIS OF GRADUANDS FOR 2022/2023 SESSION UNDERGRADUATE

DIPLOMA 

POSTGRADUATE

 SUMMARY

CLASSIFICATION OF DEGREE FOR UNDERGRADUATES

This is a significant moment not just for the university but for the graduands and their families, as it marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

We are also proud to announce that, as part of this year’s ceremony, Honorary Degrees will be conferred on eminent personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of the university and the nation at large.

These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to service, leadership, and nation-building, and we are honored to celebrate them during this convocation.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate our students. Their achievements are a source of immense pride for all of us at the University. As they prepare to embark on the next phase of their journey, we encourage them to carry with them the values they have learned here at FUL—respect, integrity, innovation, dedication, and diligence.

I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to the distinguished personalities who will be receiving honorary degrees during this convocation. Your contributions to the development of this university and to the nation have been remarkable, and we are honored to celebrate your achievements.

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE 8TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

The 8th Convocation Ceremony of Federal University Lokoja will span 7 days, and I am pleased to share with you the programme of activities as follows:

Day 1: Monday, October 21, 2024
Event 1: Press Briefing by the Vice-Chancellor
Venue: Council's Chamber, Felele Campus
Time: 10:00 AM Prompt

Event 2: Colloquium in Honour of Professor Olu Obafemi
Venue: Multipurpose Hall
Time: 12:00pm Prompt

Day 2 : Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Event: Founder’s Day
Venue: College of Health Science, Adankolo
Time: 10:00am Prompt

Day 3 : Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Event: Research Fair/Exhibition
Venue: College of Health Science, Adankolo
Time: 10:00am Prompt

Day 4 : Thursday, October 24, 2024
Event 1: Convocation ecture
Venue:  Multipurpose Hall, Felele Campus
Time:  2:00pm Prompt
Topic:  Nigerian Educational Sector: Issues and Challenges to be delivered by Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko, Former Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University.

Event 2: Convocation Play
Venue: College of Health Science’s Auditorium, Adankolo
Time: 6:00pm Prompt

Day 5: Friday, October 25, 2024
Event 1:  Juma’at Prayer
Venue:  University Mosque, Felele Campus
Time:  1:30pm Prompt

Event 2: Chancellor’s Night Venue: Reverton Hotel Time: 5:00pm Prompt

Day 6 : Saturday, October 26, 2024
Event: Convocation Ceremony
Venue: Convocation Arena, Felele Campus
Time: 10:00am Prompt

Day 7 : Sunday, October 27, 2024
Event: Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service Venue: College of Health Science’s Auditorium, Adankolo Time: 10:00am Prompt

SCORECARD: OUR SITUATION REPORT AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Since the 6th and 7th Combined Convocation Ceremonies in 2023, we have made remarkable progress across various fronts:

Expansion of Academic Programmes and Strategic Partnership

I am pleased to announce that our university has received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the introduction of several new academic programmes. These include LL.B. Law, D. Pharm (Doctor of Pharmacy), B.Agric, B.MLS (Medical Laboratory Science), and B.Ed. Educational Management and Planning. Admissions for these programmes are ongoing for the 2024/2025 academic session, reflecting our commitment to broadening the academic opportunities available at our institution.

In addition, the NUC has approved the full-time delivery of eight academic programmes to be run in affiliation with Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. These programmes include B.Sc. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Public Administration, Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Statistics. We are also proud to collaborate with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly, Abuja, for postgraduate studies.

This partnership will greatly enhance our academic offerings and provide access to quality education and advanced studies for a broader audience.

Preparations for the 2024/2025 Academic Session

As we celebrate the successes of our graduands, I am excited to share that the Federal University Lokoja is gearing up for the 2024/2025 academic session. We are proud to offer 58 undergraduate programs across 10 faculties, providing a diverse range of academic opportunities for our students.

This year, over 17,000 candidates chose FUL as their first choice, with more than 11,000 scoring 160 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and participating in our Post-UTME Screening exercise. We plan to admit 9,000 students into these programs, and I am thrilled to announce that the new academic session is scheduled to commence on November 10, 2024.

Accreditation Success and Upcoming Accreditation Visits

I am delighted to inform you that the outcome of the recent NUC accreditation exercise has been overwhelmingly positive. Of the 42 programs submitted for accreditation, 34 have received full accreditation, while eight (8) were granted interim accreditation. This remarkable achievement underscores our university's unwavering commitment to maintaining high academic standards and delivering quality education to our students.

Looking ahead, I am excited to share that we are expecting the second accreditation visit by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in the first week of November 2024. This is a significant step toward securing full accreditation for our College of Health Sciences. Additionally, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is also scheduled for a second accreditation visit, ensuring the continued quality of our programs. We are also awaiting the visit from the Council for Legal Education, which we anticipate by the first week of November. This programme accreditation by these regulatory bodies is crucial to the continued growth of our academic programs, particularly in the fields of Medicine and Law, and we are fully prepared for these upcoming visits.

Partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

I am excited to announce a landmark collaboration between our university and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP). Through this initiative, our campus will benefit from reliable power generated from renewable energy solutions, including the installation of campus-wide street lighting and the establishment of renewable energy training centers. This partnership marks a significant... Read full details here | See more pictures here