FULOKOJA, Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute Sign MoU to Advance Engineering Training and Technological Innovation

Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen specialised training, research collaboration, technology development and international academic engagement.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, reaffirmed the university's commitment to strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for advanced training, research and innovation during the signing ceremony held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The agreement followed engagements between the university delegation and the Rector of the Institute, Dr. Onumoh Ahmed Yahaya, building on collaborative efforts initiated by Professor Kayode Joshua Simonyan, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, FUL.

Professor Ibileye was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Saliu Danlamin Musa; the Registrar, Dr. Rebecca Okojie; Dr. Razaq Medupin; the Legal Director, Mrs. Amina Aliyu; and the Transport Officer, Mr. Ahmed Muazu, among other members of the university delegation.

Speaking at the event, Professor Ibileye thanked the Rector for the prompt response to the university's request and for facilitating the formalisation of the partnership. He noted that such agreements often require weeks or months of negotiation, describing the swift progress as encouraging and a reflection of the Rector's commitment to collaboration and institutional development.

He disclosed that despite ongoing Governing Council engagements, the Council leadership recognised the strategic importance of the partnership and encouraged prioritisation of the meeting.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that the collaboration would benefit not only both institutions but also future generations of Nigerian and international students through access to specialised facilities and relevant competencies that advance technological development.

Highlighting FUL's growing international profile, he revealed that the university currently hosts four postgraduate students from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia undertaking master's and doctoral programmes in Engineering Physics, expressing optimism that the partnership would attract more international scholars.

According to him, the collaboration would enhance research capabilities, expand access to advanced training facilities and boost the university's visibility as a destination for advanced studies.

In his response, the Rector, Dr. Yahaya, emphasised the need for partnerships that advance national development and collective interest, noting that the Institute's buildings, equipment and specialised facilities were established to support skills development and technological advancement.