Lokoja Varsity Secures N3bn AI Centre Grant In 100 Days

The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has secured a N3 billion TETFund grant for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences within the first 100 days of the administration of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye.

Ibileye, who assumed office on February 16 as the university’s fourth Vice-Chancellor, said the milestone reflects a broader period of consolidation, reform, and institutional strengthening rather than celebration.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja, he said the grant would support advanced research, postgraduate training, and high-level skills development for Kogi State and the wider region.

He added that the centre would position the university as a hub for innovation in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and robotics.

Ibileye also disclosed that the institution secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for eight academic programmes during the period under review.

According to him, additional funding interventions included TETFund’s annual allocation, a N335 million NEEDS Assessment grant, and special interventions of N700 million and N400 million for laboratory and classroom upgrades.

He said the administration also obtained a N300 million zonal TETFund grant for infrastructure development,