FULOKOJA VC Seeks Resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Partnership to Advance Research, Industrial Development

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, has called for the reactivation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the university and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited to strengthen research collaboration, industrial training, knowledge transfer and technological development.

Professor Ibileye made the call on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, led a delegation on a working visit to the university.

Ibileye described Ajaokuta Steel as a critical national asset whose revival could unlock Nigeria's technological transformation.

"We consider Ajaokuta as the most important asset that this country has, beyond petrol and whatever resources that we have. Ajaokuta is the key that will unlock the technological transformation of Nigeria. Without getting it right, we are not getting anything right," he said.

He commended Professor Abdulsalam's commitment to repositioning the steel company, particularly efforts to seek technical and financial partners globally.

Professor Ibileye noted that Kogi State is richly endowed with mineral resources including marble, iron and gold, stressing that the university must be proactive in researching ways to harness these resources for national development.

He described the visit as one of the most significant developments since he assumed office, noting it opened new possibilities for the university's research and development agenda.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that Federal University Lokoja has grown from 235 students in two faculties and 11 departments when it commenced academic activities on December 3, 2012, to 17 faculties, two colleges and more than 30,000 students.

He identified Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Pharmacy and Medical Sciences as areas with significant potential for collaboration.

According to him, the proposed partnership would encompass joint research, teaching, industrial training and knowledge exchange to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical industrial experience.

He recalled that an MoU had been initiated during the administration of his predecessor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, but remained inactive. He expressed readiness to reactivate it.

Earlier, Professor Abdulsalam said the visit was an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two federal institutions, which share common interest in development of Kogi State and Nigeria. He congratulated Professor Ibileye on his appointment.