FortLugard University Commences Construction of Senate Building, Computer Science Faculty in Abuja
The march towards expanding Nigeria’s higher education landscape received a significant boost on Friday as the proposed FortLugard University officially commenced construction work on its Senate Building and Faculty of Computer Science at its permanent site in Apo District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The foundation stone for the Senate Building was laid by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghe, while the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Honourable Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, performed the groundbreaking for the Faculty of Computer Science building.
“The future of any country depends on the quality of education it gives its young people. Without this, a nation is destined for decline,” he said, while urging stakeholders to support the vision of the new institution.
In his remarks, Minister Jisalo applauded the decision to establish the university in the FCT, noting that it would not only enhance access to quality education for young residents of the territory but also generate employment opportunities for many. He also appealed to the host community to protect the institution and its workers, describing the university as a source of “massive derivable benefits” to the area.
Earlier, the Founder and Chancellor, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, described the ceremony as a defining moment in the journey towards building a world-class institution. He said the occasion symbolised the convergence of vision, faith and purpose and marked a strategic step in the actualisation of FortLugard University.
“We are not merely constructing buildings, we are constructing destinies. We are raising an institution that will shape the next generation of thinkers, inventors, policy leaders, social reformers and nation-builders,” Onoja declared.
He revealed that groundwork on the site had already begun with road construction, fencing and excavation, adding that a few days earlier, the foundation of the Ukala School of Engineering and Technology (USET) was laid by Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.
According to him, the Senate Building, which will be named after Justice Walter Onnoghe upon completion, will serve as the heart of academic governance, housing the leadership and structures responsible for academic integrity, curriculum development and institutional stability.
He further described the Faculty of Computer Sciences as a strategic investment in the future, noting that global development is increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering and digital transformation.
“The world is no longer powered by natural resources alone, but by knowledge, innovation and technological capacity. This faculty will become a centre of excellence, training young minds to compete and innovate globally,” he said.
Onoja called on government institutions, private sector partners, philanthropists and development agencies to support the large-scale vision, stressing that FortLugard University is designed to go beyond traditional teaching and learning to become an intellectual powerhouse in Nigeria and Africa.
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“Today, we plant seeds that will grow into a forest of possibilities. FortLugard University is rising strong, bold, and by God’s grace will be world-class,” he assured.
The development marks another milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of educational growth, technological advancement and human capital development, aligning with national aspirations to build globally competitive institutions of higher learning.
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