The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commended the facilities presented by the promoters of the proposed FortLugard University, Apo, Abuja, during its second and final verification visit to the institution on September 11, 2026, as part of the regulatory process towards its establishment and eventual commencement of academic activities.
The delegation was led by the Director of the Directorate of Establishment of Private Universities, Mr. Ladan Ashafa, who inspected the university’s administrative, academic, healthcare and support facilities to assess their suitability for the institution’s proposed operations.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Commission to evaluate the infrastructure developed by the promoters in line with the requirements for establishing private universities in Nigeria.
Receiving the delegation, the Visioner of the proposed university, Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Rosemary Onoja, ACCA, ACA, Co-Visioner and Chairperson of the Project Implementation Committee, welcomed the team and led members on an extensive tour of the facilities.
The inspection covered the Senate Building, University Library, Auditorium, University Clinic, faculty buildings, lecture halls, classrooms, staff offices, Entrepreneurship Centre and campus access facilities.
The Senate Building, which houses the offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Bursar and other principal officers, is designed to serve as the administrative centre for institutional management, policy coordination and the day-to-day running of the university.
The delegation also inspected the University Library, intended to support teaching, learning, research and independent study, as well as the Auditorium, which is designed to accommodate public lectures, seminars, conferences and official university ceremonies.
The University Clinic was another major facility presented to the team. The clinic is expected to provide basic healthcare services and contribute to the welfare of students and staff.
As part of the exercise, the NUC delegation visited the buildings designated for the proposed faculties, including the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Computing and Engineering.
The team also assessed the offices designated for Deans and Heads of Departments, alongside facilities for senior and junior lecturers. These spaces are intended to support academic leadership, departmental administration, research, student consultations and the effective coordination of teaching activities.
The lecture halls and classrooms were equally inspected as part of the Commission’s assessment of the institution’s planned teaching and learning environment.
Another facility that attracted attention during the tour was the Entrepreneurship Centre, which is designed to promote innovation, creativity, practical skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development among students.
The centre is expected to contribute to the university’s efforts to equip graduates with relevant skills for self-employment, business development and participation in the wider economy.
The delegation further inspected the main gatehouse and service gatehouse, which form part of the institution’s proposed campus access-management and security infrastructure.
Speaking after the inspection, Ashafa commended the promoters of the proposed university for the quality of the facilities presented for the Commission’s assessment.
His commendation highlighted the infrastructural investments made by the promoters towards establishing an institution equipped to accommodate its proposed academic, administrative and operational activities.
The range of facilities inspected reflected the breadth of infrastructure being developed to support the university’s planned programmes and provide an enabling environment for teaching, learning, research and student welfare.
Chief (Mrs.) Rosemary Onoja, in her capacity as Co-Visioner and Chairperson of the Project Implementation Committee, played a key role in the inspection tour, guiding the delegation through the facilities provided for the proposed institution.
The verification visit represents a significant milestone in FortLugard University’s engagement with the NUC as it progresses through the regulatory process towards establishment and take-off.
The Commission’s assessment underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring that proposed private universities meet prescribed requirements before receiving the necessary authorisation to commence academic operations.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the establishment process also requires attention to relevant academic resources, qualified personnel, administrative systems and other regulatory conditions applicable to private universities.
The proposed FortLugard University, located in Apo, Abuja, is being developed with the ambition of providing higher education opportunities across its proposed academic disciplines.
The September 11 visit provided the Commission with an opportunity to assess the facilities presented by the promoters and determine their suitability in relation to the institution’s proposed academic and administrative structure.
While the commendation represents positive feedback on the facilities inspected, the proposed university’s commencement of academic activities remains subject to the completion of applicable regulatory procedures and the necessary approvals from the National Universities Commission.
The promoters expressed continued commitment to advancing the project and translating their vision for FortLugard University into a functional institution of higher learning.
