In an effort to revamp the sporting activities of the Federal University Lokoja, FUL, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi along with his Management Team met with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Isma’il Abubakar in Abuja on 24th November, 2022.

Speaking during the strategic meeting, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that his vision was to build one of the most formidable and vibrant sports teams filled with talented and skillful sportsmen and women that would represent the University, Kogi State, and Nigeria at both national and international competitions.

He, therefore, solicited the support and collaboration of the Ministry in achieving this lofty vision conceived by his Administration, especially in the area of creating an enabling environment for sports to thrive such as in building additional facilities like basketball, volleyball, and handball courts that would encourage the training of young players among the students.

Highlighting his Administration's efforts so far in the area of sports development, Professor Akinwumi informed the Permanent Secretary that the ongoing construction of a Mini Stadium which started during the 8-month industrial disputes between the Federal Government and the University Unions was near completion. He, however, noted that more facilities were still needed to complement those already put in place and give room for all-round sports development in the University.

In his reaction, the Permanent Secretary who was greatly delighted and impressed with the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor in sports development, thanked the University Management for the courtesy visit, noting that the Ministry was pleased to identify with FUL and would do everything possible within its limited resources to assist the University in becoming a household name in sports as envisioned by the Akinwumi-led Administration.

While encouraging FUL Management to put their demands on paper for onward transmission to the Honourable Minister for consideration, the Vice-Chancellor who came prepared quickly handed over the written document comprising areas of urgent needs to the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry's intervention.

The Permanent Secretary applauded the sincere commitment and doggedness of the Vice-Chancellor and his supportive Management, urging them to sustain the tempo and continue in their relentless drive of looking for potential partners that would move FUL forward. He added that such selfless efforts and personal sacrifices would surely yield positive results that would place the University on the global map.

Alhaji Abubakar further charged the Vice-Chancellor to equally identify other notable Nigerians and sports-loving individuals in the private sector, who will be willing to support the Administration's vision of taking sports in FUL to the next level, for possible support and collaboration towards building a sport-friendly Institution.

On the entourage of the Vice Chancellor were other Principal Officers including the two Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, Bursar, and the University Librarian, among other Management Staff of the University. See more pictures here