The Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL) reassures students, parents, and the general public that it is fully on top of issues surrounding the full accreditation of College of Health Sciences and is working closely with the State Government towards meeting all regulatory requirements by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) within the stipulated time.

The University describes recent concerns circulating in some quarters as understandable and assures stakeholders that strategic steps are already in motion to address the identified gaps.

The University Management has been engaging constructively with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance with accreditation standards.

It is on record that the State Government had earlier set up a tripartite Committee to include the University , Ministries of Health and Tertiary Education to come up with a way forward on the requirements expected by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for which the report is already strategically being implemented.

The Management is not resting on its oars as engagements with the Niger State Government and relevant stakeholders are ongoing to ensure timely release of resources and accelerated project execution.

While acknowledging the anxiety of students, particularly the pioneer 400-level, the University Management assures them that their academic progression and professional future remain a top priority.

Students, parents and guardians are therefore advised to remain calm and avoid unnecessary panic or speculation that could create avoidable tension.

Similarly, stakeholders are requested to continue to support the University with patience and confidence as the Management is committed to protecting the academic integrity of the programme and the future of students.

The University reiterated its commitment to transparency and pledged to provide periodic updates as progress continues.

IBBUL reaffirms that the development of the College of Health Sciences remains a flagship project and a strategic investment in the future of healthcare delivery in Niger State and Nigeria at large.

Signed:
Managment

The Nigeria Association of Petroleum Exploration (NAPE) Abuja Chapter, has held a two-day workshopat Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai with the theme, “Hands-on Workshop on Well Log and Seismic Interpretation For Petroleum Exploration” with participants drawn from IBB University, Lapai and Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Declaring the workshop opened, the Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, described the it as a timely intervention aimed at correcting the long-standing disconnect between academic training and industry practice in Nigeria’s petroleum and geoscience sector.

He noted that universities often operate in isolation, producing graduates who are academically sound but lack the practical exposure required to function effectively in the field.

According to him, Geology and Geophysics are disciplines rooted largely in field experience, yet students spend the majority of their training confined to classrooms.

He stressed that this imbalance weakens professional competence and leaves graduates unprepared for the realities of exploration, drilling, and resource management. To address this, he called for a deliberate shift toward field-oriented learning that allows students to gain hands-on experience before graduation.

The Vice Chancellor further emphasized the need to review and modernize existing curricula in line with global standards, urging universities to work closely with regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission and professional associations to redesign programmes that reflect emerging technologies and industry expectations. Such reforms, he explained, would ensure that graduates leave university not as job seekers but as professionals capable of creating employment and providing solutions to national challenges.

Professor Sulaiman also challenged Geoscience graduates to broaden their outlook beyond the petroleum industry, noting that opportunities exist in water resource development, environmental management, and mineral exploration.

He observed that Geologists possess the expertise to solve pressing issues such as water scarcity and should be proactive in offering practical solutions to government and communities rather than waiting for employment in oil companies.

The Vice Chancellor led participants in observing a minute of silence in honour of the late Professor Nuhu Obaje, whom he described as a visionary scholar whose efforts significantly strengthened Geological research and industry collaboration in Nigeria.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Head of the Department of Geology and Mining at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Dr. James Adewoyi, explained that the workshop was conceived in response to the evolving demands of the energy industry and the urgent need to improve students’ employability after graduation.

He noted that while university training provides a strong academic foundation, it is often not sufficient on its own to secure immediate placement in the highly competitive petroleum and energy sector.

Dr. Adewoyi stated that the Department resolved to organize the training to equip both undergraduate and postgraduate students with additional technical skills that align with industry expectations.

According to him, exposure to practical tools such as well logging and seismic interpretation would give students a competitive advantage and prepare them to transition smoothly from academic study into professional practice.

He further revealed that the workshop drew participants mainly from the host Institution and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, creating an opportunity for inter-university collaboration and shared learning. Such collaboration, he noted, is essential for strengthening geoscience training across institutions and ensuring that students benefit from a wider academic and professional network.

Speaking on expected outcomes, the Head of Department expressed confidence that participants would, at the end of the programme, be able to independently analyze exploration data, map prospects, and provide informed technical advice on hydrocarbon exploration decisions. He added that the training would enhance students’ analytical confidence and position them as skilled professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to the energy market within the next few years.

Dr. Adewoyi also commended the University Management, particularly the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, for their sustained support toward industry-oriented academic programmes. He acknowledged the presence and backing of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists leadership, including its President, Professor Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, noting that their involvement alongside other industry professionals observing virtually reflects growing confidence in the department’s efforts to align training with global petroleum exploration standards.

In her remarks, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Miss Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, commended the University chapter for organizing a programme that aligns with the association’s mission of strengthening industry-ready training for students. She noted that initiatives such as the workshop demonstrate the association’s commitment to ensuring that future professionals acquire practical skills that complement theoretical knowledge.

She explained that the association is working with universities and stakeholders to integrate more practical courses into academic programmes while also designing specialised training opportunities for fresh graduates.

According to her, these efforts are aimed at producing competent professionals who can transition smoothly into industry roles and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Miss ajayi urged participants to take the training seriously, reminding them that the knowledge shared by industry experts represents real field experience that cannot be obtained from textbooks alone. She reaffirmed the association’s dedication to supporting universities with technical expertise, professional mentorship, and collaborative programmes that will strengthen petroleum education across the country.

In their separate practical sessions, industry professionals exposed participants to real-world applications of Geoscience tools used in petroleum exploration and reservoir evaluation.

A Geoscientist with NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Mr. Folohunsho O. Yusuf, delivered a session on seismic and well log interpretation, focusing on practical approaches to energy prospecting. He explained that the aim of the training was to narrow the gap between industry practice and academic learning by guiding students through the complete subsurface workflow from reconnaissance surveys to volumetric estimation.

According to him, the workshop was designed not to turn participants into instant technical experts but to spark curiosity and provide a solid foundation upon which they can build deeper professional competence in the future.

Also speaking, Mr. Solomon Omishakin, a Reservoir Geophysicist representing Chevron Nigeria Limited, highlighted the importance of integrating seismic data with well log information in understanding subsurface reservoirs. He noted that such knowledge forms a core skill for Geoscientists in hydrocarbon exploration and production, while also gaining relevance in emerging fields such as carbon capture and sequestration, where reservoir understanding is critical for safe carbon storage and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Omishakin added that the workshop was designed to be highly interactive, encouraging dialogue rather than passive classroom learning. He expressed optimism that participants would leave with a clearer grasp of subsurface analysis techniques and a foundational understanding that could be developed into advanced professional expertise relevant not only to Nigeria’s energy sector but to the global geoscience industry.

Highlight of the event was award presentation and practical session.

The National leadership of the Alumni Association of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has donated a comprehensive consignment of medical drugs to the Institution’s health centre as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services for students and staff.

Receiving the drugs in his office, the Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Muhammed Hadi Sulaiman, expressed deep appreciation to the National Alumni Association for donating essential drugs to the University Clinic.

He described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that the health needs of students and staff remain a priority, especially as academic activities continue to expand.

According to him, such gestures demonstrates the enduring bond between the University and its graduates.

He recalled that the Alumni had earlier supported the Institution with mattresses, a contribution that helped ease accommodation challenges at the time. However, he pointed out that the demand for hostel facilities continues to rise, and many of the existing mattresses are already worn out.

With the University’s limited internally generated revenue stretched across competing needs, he stressed that alumni support remains vital in sustaining student welfare.

Professor Hadi urged the Alumni to go beyond material donations by engaging students intellectually and morally. He suggested that Alumni-led seminars and mentorship sessions could help instill discipline, responsibility, and institutional pride among students, warning that negative portrayal of the University on social media often distort reality and harm both the Institution and its graduates.

He further emphasized that the value of a University certificate lies not only in academic attainment but also in character and conduct. Students, he said, must understand that representing their university is a lifelong identity that should inspire pride rather than embarrassment. He therefore appealed to the Alumni to assist in guiding students toward responsible behaviour both on campus and online.

The Vice-Chancellor also addressed internal disagreements within the Alumni body, stressing that unity is essential if they are to remain credible partners of the University. He cautioned that prolonged disputes weaken the association’s ability to contribute meaningfully and urged members to resolve differences amicably in the interest of institutional progress.

Members of the University Management, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Muhammad Salihu Niworu, commended the Alumni for their commitment in supporting the Institution. They noted that universities worldwide rely heavily on strong alumni networks for development, innovation, and reputation building. In this regard, the donation was seen as a positive step toward strengthening that partnership.

Management emphasized that institutional growth cannot be achieved by the administration alone. They encouraged the Alumni to explore additional areas of support such as infrastructure development, student mentorship, research sponsorship, and community engagement initiatives. They also suggested that alumni members could mobilize philanthropists and corporate partners to support the University.

While acknowledging the contributions made so far, the Management expressed concern over recurring disputes within the Alumni Association, observing that internal conflicts often project a negative image of the Institution and distract from its developmental goals.

They argued that for the Alumni to serve as credible ambassadors, they must first demonstrate cohesion and shared purpose.

The Management team also encouraged the Alumni to play a more active role in student orientation programmes. They stressed that graduates who have experienced life beyond campus are best positioned to guide students on professionalism, public conduct, and institutional loyalty. Such engagements, they noted, would strengthen the University’s culture and values.

Speaking earlier, the Alumni President Comrade Muhammad Sani Gashash, represented by the National Vice President, Comrade Job Haruna and the National Secretary comrade Sulyman Ishaq, said the donation was part of the Association’s commitment to giving back to the institution that shaped its members’ futures. He explained that the Alumni consulted the University’s Medical Director to ensure that the drugs supplied meet the Clinic’s exact needs, resulting in the procurement of all items on the requested list.

He added that the donation complements the mattresses previously supplied to the University and assured the Management that the Alumni intends to sustain such interventions.

According to him, the Association sees its role not merely as symbolic, but as practical and continuous support for institutional development.

Responding to concerns raised by Management, he reaffirmed the Alumni’s commitment to unity and pledged that efforts were underway to resolve internal disputes, including matters currently before external bodies. He also promised that the Alumni would engage students more actively, promote a positive image of the University, and remain available whenever called upon to contribute to student guidance and institutional growth.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Alhaji Idris Sale Kusherki, thanked the Alumni for what he described as a thoughtful and timely intervention. He observed that the donated drugs arrived at a period when students had fully resumed on campus, making the support particularly relevant to the University’s healthcare services.

He urged the Alumni to prioritize unity and shared vision, noting that meaningful development can only occur when members work together toward common goals.

According to him, the University expects the Alumni body to focus on constructive contributions rather than leadership disputes, emphasizing that collective progress remains the ultimate objective.

The Director of Sports, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Aliyu Mohammed, has charged the University’s contingent participating in the first Intercollegiate Bago Games to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors and strive to win laurels for the Institution.

Professor Mohammed gave the charge during his arrival address at the opening of the games hosted by Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, where he formally received and addressed the IBBUL contingent, urging them to demonstrate discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

He described the Bago Games as a strategic platform for talent discovery, exposure, and career advancement in sports, noting that intercollegiate competitions remain critical in grooming student-athletes for higher levels of sporting engagement.

“This competition is a valuable opportunity for you to showcase your talents before a wider audience. Outstanding performances here could attract selection into Niger State sports teams and possibly national teams. It is also part of our preparations towards the forthcoming Pre-NUGA qualifiers and other major sporting competitions,” he stated.

The Director noted that participation in competitions of such magnitude does not only build physical strength but also enhances teamwork, leadership skills, and mental toughness among students.

Professor Mohammed further emphasized that the University attaches great importance to the safety and welfare of its athletes, stressing that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the security and comfort of the contingent throughout the competition period.

“We are committed to ensuring your safety and wellbeing, but you must also be security conscious. Avoid unnecessary movement, do not go out alone, and where it becomes necessary, inform your teammates or officials. Always ensure your phones are charged to enable easy communication,” he advised.

He added that representing the University at the games is a privilege and a responsibility, urging the athletes to remain focused and avoid actions capable of tarnishing the image of the Institution.

Professor Mohammed also expressed appreciation to the University Management for its continuous investment and commitment to sports development in IBBUL, noting that the support has significantly improved the standard of sports within the Institution.

He assured the Management and the entire University community that the contingent would justify the confidence reposed in them by putting up commendable performances and striving to return with medals that would further project the image of the University.

The first Intercollegiate Bago Games attract participation from various tertiary institutions across the state, providing a platform for healthy competition, talent identification, and strengthening inter-institutional relationships through sports.