A symbolic leadership initiative that allows a student temporarily step into the shoes of a vice-chancellor is among new programmes unveiled by the Federal University Lokoja as part of efforts to promote leadership and reward academic excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, announced the “Vice-Chancellor for a Day” initiative as part of activities rolled out to mark his first 100 days in office.
Ibileye, who assumed duty as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the university on February 16, 2026, disclosed this in a statement personally signed on Tuesday in Lokoja.
According to him, the initiative will confer symbolic leadership of the university on a deserving student as a way of celebrating excellence and encouraging leadership development among students.
“The symbolic ‘Vice-Chancellor for a Day’ initiative has been launched to confer the symbolic leadership of the university on a deserving student, a celebration of academic excellence and a powerful statement of the administration’s investment in its students,” he stated.
Reflecting on achievements recorded within his first 100 days, Ibileye said one of the university’s most significant successes was attracting major funding to support research, innovation and institutional growth.
Among the developments highlighted by the vice-chancellor were a N3 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund allocation and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences.
He said the centre positions the university at the forefront of technologies shaping the global economy and would serve as a hub for advanced research, postgraduate training and high-value skills development for both the institution and the wider region.
Ibileye also disclosed that the university secured full National Universities Commission accreditation for eight academic programmes — Mass Communication, Computer Science, Education Mathematics, Integrated Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Sociology.
According to him, the accreditation outcome strengthens the university’s academic standing and affirms the quality of its teaching, facilities and faculty.
On infrastructure, the vice-chancellor said sanitation and water facilities at the Felele Permanent Campus had been upgraded, with renovated lavatories, refurbished boreholes and additional boreholes under construction to improve water supply.
He added that the institution’s Vision Plan 2026–2031 had advanced to White Paper stage and had been tabled before the Governing Council.
“The Vision Plan 2026–2031 has been advanced to White Paper stage and tabled before the Governing Council.
“Five Pillar Cohort Committees produced detailed reports, which a dedicated White Paper Committee harmonised into a single coherent roadmap now awaiting formal adoption,” he said.
Ibileye further disclosed that the pioneer cohort of the College of Health Sciences had passed the Basic Medical Examination and progressed to Basic Clinical Training.
He said the students, upon completion of their programme, are positioned to become the first generation of medical doctors trained entirely within Kogi State.
Credit: ThePunch
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