A Non Governmental Organization, known as Mediators Forum has felicitated with the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, FUL, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi on the outstanding success of the just concluded convocation of the institution.

Sercretary of the Forum, Comrade Obajemu Samuel at a world press conference in Lokoja described the event as an epoch making occasion which brought dignitaries from within and outside the State and county and laid another developmental framework for the University.

According to him, the Forum is pleased with the huge successes recorded at the programme in view of others unprecedented achievements of Professor Akinwumi as he holds sway as VC of FUL.

He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Government to engage the services of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, FUL, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi in view of his exceptional transformation of the institution.

Comrade Obajemu said the call became imperative due to a landmark institutional and infrastructural development of FUL under the leadership of Professor Akinwumi as the third VC of the institution.

He emphasized the positive influence of the VC, whom he described as a trailblazer and pathfinder who has broken through the educational barriers to bring Kogi State into the comity of States to be so recognized not only in Nigeria but outside the country.

The Forum Secretary urged President Tinubu to engaged him as part of his building team of a renewed hope agenda for a greater nation.

While congratulating on the feat achieved so far assured the VC of the Forum’s support for a higher assignment after his tenure.

Notable among the achievements of Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi as the 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja from February 2021 to June 2025 include:

Movement of the University from Adankolo Campus (Take-off Site now College of Health Sciences) to the Permanent Site at Felele in September 2021 to give room for programme expansion and further development

Establishment of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).

Upgrading of School of Postgraduate Studies to a College

Established the College of Health Sciences

Established the Center for Distance and E-learning

Established the Center for Flood Prevention and Management

Established the Directorate of Quality Assurance

Established the Directorate of Entrepreneurship & Skills Acquisition

Established the Directorate of Consultancy and Ventures

Directorate of Research & Innovation.

Directorate of Advancement & Linkages

Established the Institute of Governance & Development Studies
Established the Institute of Education and Continuing Studies
Established the Institute of Gender Studies
Established the Global Institute for Infectious Diseases & Control
Established the School of Preliminary & Remedial Studies
Established Federal University Lokoja Staff School
Established Federal University Lokoja International College
Established FUL Parks and Gardens (Keep FUL Clean & Green)
Established FUL TETFund Career Service Center
Created Works and Services Department out of PP&DD
Established FUL Zoo and Conservatory and children playground
Registered FUL Felele Consult Ltd with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
Established FUL Printing Press BOT agreement
Established FUL Table Water Factory on BOT agreement
Established FUL Block Moulding Industry on BOT arrangement
Established FUL Farm
Established FUL Senior Staff Club
Built 40 shopping complex lock-up shops on BOT agreement
Established FUL Filling Station (ongoing)
Established FUL Microfinance Bank (ongoing)
Increased number of Faculties from 5 to 10, including the College College of Health Sciences

Increased number of academic programmes from 43 to 58, and established the following programmes: MB;BS Medicine & Surgery, B.Sc. Nursing Science, B.Medical Laboratory Science, Pharm.D. Doctor of Pharmacy, B. Eng. Computer Engineering, B. Eng. Electrical and Electronic Engineering, B. Eng. Mechanical Engineering, LL.B. Law, B. Agriculture, Educational Management and Planning

Increased students population from 6000+ in February 2021 to about 25,000 (undergraduate and postgraduate students) as of April 2025, due to the additional programmes and increase in JAMB admission quota

Increased number of Professors from 24 (21 male, 3 female) as of 2021 to 68 (59 male, 9 female) as of October 2024

Established special programmes including IJMB, JUPEB, Pre-degree, Diploma, Part-time Degree, Special Undergraduate Degree/Top-up/HND conversion, and established Study Centers outside Lokoja

Established 16 elite professional postgraduate programmes (PhD) run by the Institute of Governance and Development Studies (IGDS) in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), National Assembly, Abuja

Accreditation of 47 programmes in April 2022 and June 2024 by the National Universities Commission (NUC). About 32 of the programmes were accredited for the first time.

Resource Assessment of the 32 new programmes established by the previous administration without NUC’s approval and secured JAMB’s assent and listing on CAPS

Construction of a four-storey Senate Building
Construction of Entrepreneurship Development and Skills Acquisition Center
Construction of Entrepreneurship Development and Skills Acquisition Center (extension)
Construction of the University Health Center at the Permanent Site (Phase 1 & 2)
Construction of a block of 12 classrooms
Construction of the Faculty of Engineering Building
Assembly Hall (under construction)
Construction of Alhaji Abdullahi Habib Memorial Mosque donated by Dr. Maimuna Abdullahi in memory of her late husband
Construction of the Chapel of Grace Auditorium (under construction)
Construction of the Faculty of Pharmacy Building donated/funded by Saleh Ahmadu Foundation
Construction of the Faculty of Law Building (under construction)
Construction of Central Research Laboratory donated by Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative (under construction)
Construction of an Auditorium (under construction)
Construction of 250 Seating Capacity Lecture Theatre donated by the family of late Engr. Joseph Oyeyani Makoju
Construction of a mini stadium and recreational centre
Construction of Agribusiness Incubation Centre/Cassava Processing Factory donated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)
Construction of the security building with watch tower
Construction of Federal University Lokoja Signages
Construction of the students relaxation area and a water fountain
Construction of a water fountain with signage at the main gate
Moulding/erection of an academic statue in front of the main gate at Felele Campus
Construction of Road Network (dual carriage) from main gate to the former administrative block
Construction of Road Network linking the core academic area
Construction of Road Network linking the hostels
Construction of Road Network from the main gate to the University Farm area
Construction of Road Network linking the University Library and ICT
Installation of solar-powered street lights at night – Operation Light-up Felele Campus
Donation of Two 18-seater buses by Chief Dr. Innocent O. Ezuma
Purchase of a firefighting truck purchased by the University
Purchase of new coaster bus, hilux van, and sienna
Purchase of vehicles for Management staff (DVC and Provost)
Purchase of 18-seater Innoson Bus
Renovation of the Faculty of Science Complex
Renovation of the male and female hostels at the Felele Campus through Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Renovation of classrooms, University Library, medical students hostels, ICT, and other buildings at the College of Health Sciences, Adankolo
Donation of multi-million naira medical equipment, supplies, and books by VC’s Canadian friends
Donation of 120 desktop computers, books, and other computer accessories by VC’s Canadian friends
Donatation of solar-powered tricycles with charging station
Construction of perimeter fencing of the Permanent Site (Phase 1)
Construction of a 2-classroom block donated by UBEC
Construction of the Faculty of Agriculture Building (ongoing)
Construction of an Archelogical Building donated by a philantropist (ongoing)
Linking of the Permanent Site to national grid to guarantee 24hrs electricity supply
Commencement of Solar Power Project (Farm) worth $200M (for 8 Nigerian Universities) by REA assisted by AfDB and World Bank under Energizing EducationProgramme – currently at completion stage
Implemented e-Senate and e-Management Systems to ensure a paperless administration
Connected the two campuses to high-speed internet broadband (fiber optic) for use by staff and students
Achieved 70% of the 5-year vision plan in less than 2 years in office
Achieved FUL vision of becoming No. 1 among the nine (9) universities established in 2011 by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
In July 2021, Webometrics ranked FUL 35th in Nigeria and 3rd among 12 New Federal Universities established in 2011, and in NUC’s NUS ranking of December 2021, FUL emerged as the best (No. 1) out of all the counterpart Federal Universities established in 2011

In June 2023, FUL made the elite list of top African Universities’ Ranking in the maiden Times Higher Education (THE) 2023 Sub-Saharan African Rankings. FUL falls within the 51st – 60th bracket out of the 120 Sub-Saharan Universities ranked using five-pillar assessment criteria. Out of the 51 Nigerian Universities ranked, FUL was in the 17th position and 9th position amongst the Federal Universities.

Presented the first set of Ph.D. graduands at the 8th Convocation Ceremony held on October 2024

Upgrade/conversion of the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja (FMCL) to Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL) for clinical training of FUL medical students following the passage of the bill by the National Assembly and signing by the former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2023

Resolved ASUU internal crisis and reconciled warring factions immediately after assuming office in February 2021
Regularized the appointment of all staff employed by the previous administration in 2019
Conducted staff audit/proper placement and upgrade of agrived staff, putting to rest all agitations.
Promotion of all categories of staff, approved tuition-fee waiver for staff studying in the University (both Special Undergraduate Degree and Postgraduate)
Priority for staff biological children during admission process
Restored staff harzard and responsibility allowances, approved support for staff with health challenges and deceased’s children, and constitution of the University Welfare Committee

Sponsored 72 academic staff for M.Sc. And Ph.D., while 133 Academic and Non-teaching staff attended conferences through TETFund Staff Training and Development both local and foreign (data obtained as of October 2024)

Instituted Annual Best Faculty Prize presented during Convocation

Instituted award for outstanding staff members presented during Convocation
Election and appointment of the first Alumni representative to Governing Council (Convocation)

Increased federal allocation to over 2 Billion Naira within 2 years in office. Prior to this, the total Federal Government allocation to the University for complete 11 years of FUL’s existence was way less than N1B

Organized 26 Inaugural Lectures to ensure institutionalization of the university culture. Upon assumption of office in February 2021, only 2 professors had presented their Inaugural Lectures since the establishment of the University in 2011

Organized 17 Distinguished Public Lectures where eminent personalities from within and outside Nigeria have delivered thought-provoking lectures on topical issues, serving as a platform for the town and gown to come together to proffer solutions to ational issues

Outsourced security services and engaged local hunters/vigilantees for full protection of students, staff and the University Community.