Federal University Lokoja Moves To Strengthen Security Partnership With NNS Lugard

The Federal University Lokoja has intensified efforts to strengthen security collaboration with the Nigerian Navy through a strategic engagement with NNS Lugard as part of broader measures aimed at safeguarding the university community and its facilities.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, led the institution’s management team on a courtesy visit to the naval base located in Banda, Lokoja, where they were received by the Commander of the base, Commodore A.O. Ojo.

During the visit, Professor Ibileye congratulated the naval command on recent infrastructural developments at the base, describing it as a notable milestone that the Federal University Lokoja delegation became the first official team to be hosted in the newly completed conference room constructed within the Commander’s first six months in office.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the engagement forms part of the university’s ongoing strategic collaboration with security agencies to reinforce safety measures around the institution and strengthen institutional partnerships.

Professor Ibileye recalled that the university, established in 2011, commenced academic activities on December 3, 2012, with two faculties, 11 departments, and 235 pioneer students. He stated that the institution has since expanded significantly to include 17 faculties, two colleges, and more than 18 centres, institutes, and directorates, with a student population now estimated at about 30,000.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed satisfaction that one of the institution’s pioneer graduates, Lieutenant Gafar Raji, is currently serving in the Nigerian Navy, describing the development as a source of pride for the university community.

He further appealed for deeper institutional collaboration between the university and the naval base, particularly in the area of postgraduate education, while encouraging naval personnel to take advantage of academic opportunities available at the university.

Responding, Commodore A.O. Ojo appreciated the university management for the visit and described the engagement as memorable, noting that the university delegation was the first group officially received in the new conference facility.

The naval commander reaffirmed the commitment of the base to intelligence sharing, protection of lives and property, and collaborative security operations within the state.

He stressed that Kogi State remains strategically important because of the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, making security cooperation among institutions essential.

According to him, the naval base would continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including the university, to strengthen security around educational facilities and maintain a conducive environment for learning, research, and development.

The engagement is part of a series of recent strategic visits by the Federal University Lokoja management to security agencies across Kogi State as the institution seeks to deepen inter-agency collaboration on campus security and institutional development.