The Vice-Chancellors of Universities in Kogi State have formed an alliance to accelerate the growth and development of the education sector in the confluence State. Coming together under the aegis of the "Forum for the Consortium of Kogi State Universities' Vice-Chancellors," the new association aimed at providing an avenue for frequent interactions amongst the heads of the various tertiary institutions to carve out areas of cooperation and collaborations.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Forum held at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on Friday, 15th March 2024, the Vice-Chancellor of FUL and convener, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, noted that the meeting marked a significant milestone as the chief executives and administrators of the respective Universities gathered to deliberate on an initiative that holds tremendous promise for the advancement of higher education in Kogi State.

"This forum will serve as a platform for fostering meaningful interactions among the heads of our respective institutions. It is envisaged to be a space where ideas are exchanged, collaborations are forged, and partnerships are nurtured for the collective benefit of our universities and, more importantly, our students.

"The creation of such a consortium holds immense potential for enhancing the quality of education in our state. Through frequent interactions, we can identify areas of mutual interest and explore opportunities for cooperation in research, academic programs, infrastructure development, and beyond," Professor Akinwumi noted.

Continuing, he said: "As Vice-Chancellors, we bear the responsibility of steering our universities towards excellence and innovation. By coming together in this consortium, we can harness our collective wisdom, expertise, and resources to address common challenges, seize new opportunities, and elevate the stature of higher education in Kogi State." 

Professor Akinwumi thanked the Vice-Chancellors for taking out time to personally attend the first meeting, adding that their presence underscored their dedication and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence and betterment of the educational institutions in Kogi State. He urged them to actively participate in the deliberations by sharing useful insights and contributing meaningfully towards shaping the future of the educational landscape in Kogi State.

Following the adoption of the agenda for discussion, the Vice-Chancellors, in their separate remarks, described the initiative as a welcome development that would not only benefit each University but also leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. They corroborated that the union would open new vistas of opportunities for the participating Universities, such as staff and student exchange programs which would enrich the academic experience, promote cultural understanding, and cultivate a spirit of togetherness among the Institutions. 

Some of the challenges facing the Universities as identified during the meeting were funding, security, high taxation, electricity, and overbearing oversight functions by the state and national assemblies, amongst others. Policy papers on how to tackle these challenges were to be presented by each University for discussion in subsequent meetings. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellors considered the possibility of organizing a joint conference while statutory meetings would be held quarterly and rotationally amongst the five (5) Federal, State, and Private Universities in Kogi State.

The high point of the meeting which held in the Vice-Chancellor's Committee Room, Felele, was the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche as the Chairman of the Forum, while Mr. E. D. Obafemi, former Registrar, University of Ilorin and Senior Special Assistant to FUL VC, was appointed as the Secretary.

Other Vice-Chancellors who graced the important meeting were Engr. Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara; and Professor Kehinde Eniola, Kogi State University, Kabba (KSUK). The meeting was equally attended by some Principal Officers from the host University -FUL, including Professor M.S. Audu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Professor Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration); and Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar; amongst other secretarial staff.

It is hoped that this strategic alliance will accelerate the realization of the full potential of higher education in Kogi State as the Universities embark on a journey together with a shared vision and a steadfast determination for the development of the confluence State. See more pictures here