FUL Welcomes Foreign Postgraduate Scholars, Strengthens Drive for Global Partnerships

The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has welcomed foreign postgraduate scholars under the Laser and Solar Manufacturing for Africa (LaSoMa) Scholarship Programme, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and strengthening its global academic profile.

The LaSoMa programme is a Pan-African research and academic mobility initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme and supported by the African Union.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, received the scholars, who are joining the university’s Engineering Physics programme.

The scholars include Gabr Goshu Syum from Ethiopia, who is pursuing a Ph.D., and Ariel Njobru from Zambia and Loique Legrand Tsague Tejiogho from Cameroon, both of whom are enrolled in the M.Sc. programme. A fourth scholar from Ghana, who experienced visa delays, is expected to arrive the following week.

Professor Ibileye said the university was pleased to be part of the consortium through which the collaboration was secured, describing the arrival of the scholars as an opportunity to further open FUL to international engagement.

“We are sincerely grateful and thankful that you have been sent to us to enrich the tradition that our university is seeking to establish,” he said, assuring the scholars that the university would take steps to make their experience worthwhile.

The Vice-Chancellor said FUL’s relationship with the scholars extended beyond their academic programmes, noting that the university was also interested in building institutional relationships with the countries and institutions they represent.

He disclosed that FUL had established partnerships with institutions in Egypt, South Africa, Canada and the United Kingdom, explaining that such collaborations were being used to strengthen areas where the university required additional expertise and capacity.

“Where we are a bit weak, we go into partnership with other institutions to strengthen us,” Professor Ibileye said.

He also encouraged the scholars to embrace Nigeria’s environment and the multicultural character of FUL, assuring them of an atmosphere conducive to academic, social and cultural integration.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the scholars’ experiences at FUL would encourage more students from across Africa to pursue postgraduate studies at the university.

Responding on behalf of the scholars, Ariel Njobru, a Master’s student from Zambia, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for providing a special bus to transport the scholars from Abuja to Lokoja.

He said the gesture demonstrated the university management’s concern for the welfare of the LaSoMa scholars and also appreciated the LaSoMa Project Coordinator and team members led by Dr Medupin for their coordination, guidance and support.

“Coming from Zambia to Nigeria to pursue my Master’s in Engineering Physics is a great privilege and responsibility. As I begin this new chapter, I am committed to hard work, discipline, research and academic excellence,” Ariel said.

He said he looked forward to learning from FUL lecturers, collaborating with fellow students and contributing positively to the university community.

Ariel also expressed hope that the knowledge and skills acquired at FUL would enable him and his colleagues to contribute to scientific and technological development in Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon and beyond.

The LaSoMa scholars will undertake postgraduate studies at FUL, with the Master’s students spending 18 months at the university, while the Ph.D. scholar will spend a maximum of 36 months.

The development further expands FUL’s international outlook as the university seeks to use partnerships with institutions across Africa and beyond to strengthen research, academic capacity and postgraduate education.