The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwunmi, says the institution’s progress in expanding academic programmes and infrastructure is being limited by inadequate government funding.
Speaking at a pre-convocation press conference ahead of the university’s ninth convocation in Lokoja, Akinwunmi said the university could achieve more if the federal government provided additional financial support.
He noted that despite funding challenges, the university had grown into a multi-faculty institution offering new programmes in key disciplines. In recent years, FUL has established faculties of Agriculture, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Allied Medical Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Law. It has also launched Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) programmes.
According to the vice-chancellor, most of the new programmes have been accredited by the National Universities Commission and relevant professional bodies, while the MBBS programme is awaiting final approval from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
Akinwunmi disclosed that the university has also developed academic partnerships with Auchi Polytechnic, Kogi State Polytechnic, and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. He announced that 5,051 students will graduate at the upcoming convocation, including 35 with first-class honours and 760 with second-class upper degrees.
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