Kogi, Nigeria — The Students of Federal University Lokoja are expected to return to campus starting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, while lectures will officially commence on Monday, March 17, 2025.
The management of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi State has announced the immediate reopening of the institution following weeks of closure due to the tragic deaths of students in a fatal road accident.
In a press statement issued by the school authorities, the university’s Senate approved the reopening at an emergency meeting held on Monday, March 10, 2025.
According to the statement, students are expected to return to campus starting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, while lectures will officially commence on Monday, March 17, 2025.
The statement, titled ‘Re-opening of the University’, reads: “Following ongoing efforts and consultations in several quarters to address the challenges which led to road mishaps that resulted in the loss of lives of five students and serious injury to some others, Senate at its Emergency Meeting held on Monday, March 10, 2025, approved the re-opening of the University with effect from tomorrow Tuesday, March 11, 2025, however, lectures will commence with effect from Monday, March 17, 2025.”
It was earlier reported that the Federal University Lokoja was indefinitely shut down after a fatal accident claimed the lives of seven students and a bus driver in February 2025.
The tragic incident occurred when an articulated truck carrying wood and jerrycans of palm oil lost control and crashed into a shuttle bus transporting students near the university’s permanent site.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horror, stating that the bus was about to leave for the university when the speeding truck rammed into it, crushing the vehicle completely.
“The driver of the truck lost control and rammed into the school shuttle bus, which was already filled with students and set to leave. The impact was devastating,” a student had told newsmen.
The accident had sparked massive protests among students, who took to the streets demanding justice for their deceased colleagues and urging authorities to implement safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
In response to the unrest, the university management, following consultations with the Vice-Chancellor and state security agencies, announced the immediate closure of the institution in a circular signed by the registrar, Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, February 20, 2025.
The circular cited rising tensions and the students’ blockade of the university gates despite interventions by the State Government and repeated pleas from the University Management for calm.
With tensions escalating, authorities deemed the indefinite closure necessary to maintain law and order, instructing students to vacate the campuses within an hour of the circular’s release.
Margret Oshinowo | March 11, 2025
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