FULafia Ex-VC Urges Integrity-Driven Leadership for Institutional Success

Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ekanem Ikpi Braide, has called on university administrators to uphold integrity as a core principle for achieving quality education, institutional stability, and sustainable development.

Braide made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Leading with Integrity and Excellence: Twin Pillars for Quality and Institutional Success” at a two-day FULafia extended management retreat held in Abuja.

She emphasized that effective university governance depends on strict adherence to regulatory and policy frameworks, including university laws, academic briefs, strategic plans, financial regulations, and staff conditions of service.

According to her, sustainable academic excellence requires not only policy compliance but also strong institutional systems, including adequate infrastructure, qualified personnel, adherence to carrying capacity standards, continuous staff development, effective student counselling services, discipline, and strategic deployment of information and communication technology in administration.

She also stressed the importance of collaboration between government, academia, industry, and local communities to ensure that research outputs translate into practical solutions that address societal challenges and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Braide warned against the growing threat of predatory academic practices, particularly the proliferation of questionable journals and conferences, noting that such practices undermine research integrity and weaken scholarly credibility.

Reflecting on the early years of the institution, she recalled the establishment of the Federal University of Lafia in 2011, noting that despite limited resources, the university was guided by a strong foundation of integrity, innovation, and excellence.

She urged the current leadership of the university, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammed Isa Kida, to remain committed to the institution’s vision and long-term mandate, describing leadership as a continuous responsibility requiring consistency and accountability.

The retreat was attended by principal officers of the university, including provosts, deans, and directors, who engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening governance and institutional performance.