FUL Scales Up Admission Quota To 4000 Students

Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has been ranked 3rd best among the 12 Federal Universities established by for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Pro. Olayemi Akinwumi made this known on Monday during a Press Briefing as part of activities lined up for the 5th Convocation of the Institution held at its permanent site, Felele, Lokoja.

According to Prof. Akinwumi, the University has been ranked 35th in Nigeria, 122nd in Sub Sahara Africa, 221st in Africa and 5024thin the world.

“I am pleased to inform members of the Press that our painstaking efforts at enhancing the University’s visibility and improving on its ranking, is beginning to achieve the desired results. The Federal University Lokoja was ranked 3rd among the 12 new Federal Universities, 35th in the country, 122nd in Sub Sahara Africa, 221st in Africa and 5024th worldwide.”

“This is a lot of improvement on the January ranking where Federal University Lokoja was ranked the 7th among the 12 new Federal Universities, 78th in the country 255th in Sub Sahara Africa, 396th in Africa and 10604th worldwide. Our goal is to emerge the best out of the 12 new universities and among the top 10 in the country.” he added.

The feat the Vice Chancellor noted cannot be achieved without the dedication, cooperation and support other management and Staff of the University.

Professor Akinwumi maintained that since assumption of office, the enrollment quota of the students has increased with the approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that scaled up the admission quota from 1500 to 4000.

He pointed out that an e-administration system has been introduced for the University Senate, saying the move was to enable the school operate “a paperless system” as it will also save time and cost of procuring stationeries.

On the relocation to the permanent site of the University in Felele, the Vice Chancellor stated that the process has recorded remarkable successes as the Staff and students are gradually settling down.

“In an effort to achieve the much-needed physical development and programme expansion, the University commenced academic activities at its Permanent Site (Felele Campus) in September, 2021. The relocation process was successful and the staff and the students are settling in gradually. However, the absence of critical infrastructure and essential services remain enormous challenges, considering the huge capital investments required to put them in place. However, the University Management is making concerted efforts to address these issues within the limited financial resources available, but calls for the assistance of the federal and state governments and other public-spirited individuals and organizations.”

He said in a bid to enhance teaching and learning at the Permanent Site, his administration was making frantic effort to provide potable water, uninterrupted power supply, standard health service centre, good road network, Security building and fire fighting equipment among others for the University Community.

Professor Akinwumi also disclosed that a number of reforms have been introduced aimed at modernizing Administration and management including establishment of College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, University Staff School, FUL Pure Water Factory, Directorates of Quality Assurance, Distance and e-learning as well as Advancement and Linkages.

On the need for perimeter fencing of the Institution, the VC said measures are being put in place to achieve that within the shortest possible time as FUL is also collaborating with NNPC, TETFUND and the State Government towards achieving the project.

Prof equally called for Public Private Partnership, PPP, to meet up with the transport needs of the students and staff.

On the question of the Institution catchment areas, the Vice Chancellor said” Nigeria is our catchment area, we don’t want an ethnic university” he stressed.

He debunked the allegation that the ongoing staff audit of the School is for witch hunting of certain people, but rather to put round peg in a round hole for maximum output.

While commending all staff for their unflinching support towards taking the Institution to the next level among comitte of Universities world wide, he disclosed the readiness of the Institution to admit the first set of medical students before the end of the year.

804 graduands are expected to be conferred with degrees and postgraduate diploma on Saturday.