… as VC charges scholars on integrity, research
The Federal University Lokoja (FULokoja) has matriculated about 900 postgraduate students admitted into its Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy programmes for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, who presided over the matriculation ceremony, described the occasion as particularly significant to him, recalling his earlier role as the founding Provost of the institution’s College of Postgraduate Studies in 2021.
Professor Ibileye expressed satisfaction that the college had continued to grow into a strong centre of postgraduate learning, offering both academic and professional programmes under the leadership of its current Provost, Professor Matthew Ola-Rotimi Ajayi.
Addressing the newly admitted students, the vice-chancellor said postgraduate education at the university was designed to uphold high academic standards, stressing that students would be subjected to rigorous coursework, research, seminars, project and thesis assessments, originality checks, and external examinations.
He said the processes were necessary to ensure that certificates awarded by the university remained credible and reflected genuine academic achievement.
The vice-chancellor urged the students to take the oath of matriculation seriously, identifying diligence, integrity, and usefulness as three major obligations expected of them.
On diligence, Professor Ibileye encouraged the students to attend classes and seminars regularly, maintain effective communication with their supervisors, and approach their coursework as the foundation for successful postgraduate studies.
He warned against academic dishonesty, urging the students to write their own work, properly acknowledge sources, and report research findings honestly.
According to him, any postgraduate qualification obtained through fraud could become a long-term liability to the holder and undermine the professional reputation the certificate was expected to build.
The vice-chancellor also challenged the students to focus their research on issues capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges and improving the lives of people in their communities.
He urged them to ensure that their research outputs translated into better policies, improved professional practices, more effective services and tangible solutions to societal problems.
Professor Ibileye commended the provost, deans, directors, heads of departments, program coordinators, the secretary of the College of Postgraduate Studies, and other members of staff for their contributions to the development of postgraduate education in the university.
He noted that the University remained committed to expanding postgraduate opportunities, strengthening its research culture and continuously raising academic standards.
The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the newly admitted students and formally declared that the postgraduate students admitted into the Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and PhD programs for the 2025/2026 academic session duly matriculated.
He urged them to uphold the values of the University and make meaningful contributions to knowledge and national development throughout their academic journey.