Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has reopened after a three-week shutdown caused by student protests.
In a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja, the university’s registrar and secretary to the council, Rebecca Okojie, announced that the institution would resume operations on Tuesday, March 11, with lectures scheduled to begin on Monday, March 17.
She explained that the decision was made following an emergency Senate meeting held on March 10, during which the reopening was approved.
“The Senate has approved the reopening of the university starting from Tuesday, March 11. This decision follows ongoing discussions and efforts to resolve the issues that led to the road accidents, which resulted in the tragic deaths of five students and left several others injured,” she stated.
The university had initially been closed after students threatened to block the Abuja-Lokoja highway in response to a truck accident that claimed the lives of their colleagues.
“In the aftermath of the incident, students blocked the university gates despite intervention attempts by the state government and university authorities.
“On the recommendation of security agencies and to prevent further casualties, the Vice-Chancellor, after consulting with the university management, decided to shut down the institution indefinitely on February 20,” Ms. Okojie had previously explained.