Kogi State University, located at Anyigba, is the university of Kogi, Nigeria. It was established in 1999 by Prince Abubakar Audu, the former governor of the state. At the time of its establishment, it was known as Kogi State University, It was named Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) in 2002 and later renamed Kogi State University in 2003 (KSU).
Professor S.K. Okwute (Professor of Chemistry) was the pioneer Vice Chancellor (2000 - 2005) and currently back to University of Abuja. Professor F.S. Idachaba (OFR), Professor of Agric-Economics, took over between 2005 and 2008 and has now retired to work in his foundation (F.S. Idachaba Foundation for Research and Scholarship). Professor I. Isah (Professor of Chemical Pathology), from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, took over in October 2008. The incumbent Vice Chancellor is Professor M. Abdulkadir.
Kogi State University commenced academic activities in April, 2000 with six faculties: Faculties of Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Law, Management Sciences, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. The university added the establishment of Faculty of Medicine with extensive office and laboratory complexes. The Centre for Pre-Degree and Diploma Studies was established under the present University administration to run diploma and pre-degree programmes. Students of the pre-degree programme could gain admission into the degree programme if they are successful in the internal exams and need not write the Post-UTME exams.
The university offers many courses such as Medicine, Law, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Geology(combined), Physics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Human Kinetics, Industrial Chemistry, Statistics, Business Administration, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Theatre Arts, Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Economics and Extension, Crop Production, Animal Production, Soil Science, Food Science and Technology, Fishery and Forestry, Islamic Studies, Religious and Philosophy, English, History and International Studies, Sociology, Mass Communication, Economics, and Chemistry. 98% of the courses offered in the university are accredited by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC).
Although not very popular, the university is one of the best in Africa, with some of its departments being ranked by Nigerian professional bodies as the best in Nigeria. Some few years ago, the Faculty of law was pronounced as the best in Nigeria, and has remained among the best in subsequent years. Also its department of Geology has been rated as one of the best in Africa, alongside Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ibadan. Presently, it hosts a library which is home to a large collection of expensive specialized books, materials, and a nd a[clarification needed] Geologic station, both contributed by Shell Petroleum Development Company as an appreciation of the department's exceptionally-strong intellectual capacity development attitude.[1]
The university also boasts facilities which according to undisclosed sources, are accessible to students for academic research, a privilege very uncommon among other Nigerian universities.
Despite funding which is not as large as those coming from the federal government, (as is, with state universities), it has been named the university with the best implementation of resources for development by KNOWLEDGE FOR IMPACT FOUNDATION.
The university has been very popular in the corporate world for producing highly intellectual students or typical geniuses, employed by these corporate organizations.
Often, major companies have popularly written to the school for granting exceptionally-intelligent graduates dis-honorific grades like a Second-class upper or lower degree. Often also, the school has responded: "that is how they measured against the school's standard".
The Institution started with a student population of about 700 in 2000, but which as at 2009/2010 admission exercise has grown to about 16,000, and now stands at about 50,000 in 2016. It is also known as one of the fairest universities in its admission exercise, admitting students strictly by merit, and supplementarily by near-merit. It has been ranked as Nigeria's fastest developing university, and one of such, in Africa. |