Federal University Lokoja Secures €264,416 EU Grant, Set to Host International Postgraduate Scholars

The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has secured a €264,416 international research and academic mobility grant under the European Union-funded LaSe-Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems (LaSoMa) Project, marking another milestone in the institution's drive towards global research excellence and internationalisation.

The grant was awarded through the NDICI-2024-MOBAF Intra-Africa Mobility Programme, a four-year initiative coordinated by Pentecost University, Accra, Ghana, in partnership with leading African universities and the University of Seville, Spain. The programme is designed to promote international academic mobility, advanced research, innovation, and skills development in solar systems manufacturing.

As one of the partner institutions in the consortium, Federal University Lokoja will receive €264,416 and host four international postgraduate scholars during the 2026/2027 academic session.

The beneficiaries include three Master's (M.Sc.) students and one Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) student, who will undertake advanced studies and research at the university under the prestigious EU-sponsored mobility programme.

Reacting to the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, described the grant as a major boost to the university's internationalisation agenda and research development efforts.

According to him, the European Union-funded project reflects the growing global recognition of the university as a competitive institution for high-impact research and innovation.

Prof. Ibileye congratulated the LaSoMa research team, led by Engr. Dr. Rasaq Olawale Medupin, for securing the grant, expressing confidence that the programme would enhance the university's international visibility, promote knowledge exchange, and further establish Federal University Lokoja as a leading destination for postgraduate research in Africa.

Speaking on the development, the project leader, Engr. Dr. Medupin, disclosed that the proposal submitted to the university management provides for the admission of foreign postgraduate students under the EU-sponsored Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme. He added that further details regarding tuition and other aspects of the programme would be communicated by the university as implementation progresses.

The LaSoMa Project is expected to strengthen research collaboration between African and European institutions while advancing innovation and capacity building in renewable energy and sustainable solar systems manufacturing.