Caption: From left, Prof. Ibeleye Gbenga Solomon (Provost, College Postgraduate School), Prof. M. S. Audu (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic), Dr Ubon Udoh (MD/CEO ASR Africa), Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi (Vice-Chancellor), Abubakar Abdu (Acting Registrar), Dr. Mutalib Bankole Adeowu (Director, Physical Planning & Development) during the groundbreaking ceremony of the ASR Central Research Laboratory at the Federal University of Lokoja.

In continuation of its various strategic commitments to Nigeria’s tertiary education interventions, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), said at the weekend that it has commenced the construction of a world-class research laboratory for the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.

The Tertiary Education Grant Scheme of the ASR Africa is a personal commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa and BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, to give back to the African continent and to make an enduring impact in education as a means of uplifting and restoring the dignity and lives of Africans.

The laboratory being constructed for the Federal University Lokoja, ASR Africa said in a statement, is one of the many interventions under its Tertiary Education Grants Scheme (TEGS), drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100m Fund for Social Development and Renewal.

Speaking at the groundbreaking event for the project, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed gratitude to the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu for his kind benevolence towards the University. He assured that the project would address the challenge of infrastructure deficit, especially in the area of research, facing the institution, besides providing a learning platform for discoveries, innovations, and scientific advances in physical and life sciences.

Responding, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, appreciated the management and students of the university for the warm reception, reiterating the commitment of the Chairman to supporting quality education within tertiary institutions in Nigeria. He encouraged the management and students to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facility as a show of appreciation for the grant.

The ASR Africa grant and award process began in December 2022 and the confirmation of the university’s nomination was met with great joy by the university community.

At that time, the Vice-Chancellor described the gesture as a Christmas/New Year gift from God to him and the University.