By joshua Barr. Bola Fabola Celebrates FUL VC Prof. Gbenga Ibileye At 60, Laud Style of Leadership
A legal luminary, Elder Statesman, Community Leader and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Barr. Bola Fabola, has felicitated with the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, on his 60th birthday.
Fabola described the Vice Chancellor as a visionary leader whose first 100 days in office have repositioned the university for global relevance and excellence.
Professor Ibileye clocked 60 today. Since assuming office as the 4th Substantive Vice Chancellor of FUL, he has recorded significant milestones across funding, academics, infrastructure, governance and staff welfare within barely three months — a feat Fabola said deserves commendation.
“Within your first 100 days, as Vice Chancellor, you have secured a ₦3 billion TETFund intervention for a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences, alongside TETFund Annual Intervention and ₦335 million NEEDS Assessment funding,” Fabola stated.
He added that Prof. Ibileye also attracted ₦700 million and ₦400 million TETFund special interventions for laboratories and classrooms upgrade, ₦300 million zonal intervention support for infrastructure and academic development, and advanced a ₦3 billion Public Private Partnership for the development of a model hotel.
Academically, the legal expert noted that the Vice Chancellor’s leadership secured full NUC accreditation for eight programmes, moved pioneer College of Health Sciences students into Basic Clinical Training, and established the Centre for Translational Humanities, the first of its kind in Africa.
“It is my earnest expectation that your Vision Plan 2026 to 2031, which has been advanced to White Paper stage, alongside strategic committees on accreditation, security, professorial development and institutional reforms, will yield the desired results in repositioning Federal University Lokoja as a world-class institution of learning,” he said.
Fabola expressed gratitude for the Vice Chancellor’s attention to staff and student welfare, highlighted the ₦50 million Staff Vehicle Refurbishment Loan Scheme, distribution of 100 computers to staff across faculties, delivery of two Coaster buses for mobility, monetization of examination invigilation duties, and upgrade of sanitation and water infrastructure at the Felele Permanent Campus. He also commended the establishment of the Central Examination Office, Directorate of Strategic Communication and Corporate Documentation, and the launch of FUL Voice as the university’s flagship publication.
The legal expert further noted global strides under Prof. Ibileye, including FUL’s access to the European Union Erasmus Plus Programme and strategic partnerships with Universities in Egypt, South Africa and Canada. He said the launch of the “Vice Chancellor for a Day” initiative for outstanding students and the securing of a permanent secondary school through NSSEC reflect the VC’s commitment to grooming the next generation.
“I celebrate a leader who combines scholarship with administrative excellence, who engages stakeholders, strengthens systems, and delivers results without noise. Your unassuming but focused style gives me confidence that Federal University Lokoja is on a steady path to greatness,” Fabola stated.
As you mark your 60 years of impactful leadership, the APC chieftain prayed God would grant him more years in good health, wisdom and strength to complete the good work he has started. “Happy Birthday, Prof. Ibileye. Count on my support. I stand with you without mincing words. “I am optimistic that under your leadership, Federal University Lokoja will meet and surpass the objectives for which it was established.”