FortLugard University Debuts in Abuja as Construction Begins on Senate Building and Computer Science Faculty

The Federal Government’s drive to enhance the nation’s educational landscape has recorded significant progress with the establishment of a new institution, FortLugard University, located in the Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

To accelerate the realization of the university project, the foundation stones for the Senate Building and the Faculty of Computer Sciences were officially laid on Friday at the permanent site in Apo.

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, performed the groundbreaking for the expansive Senate Building, while the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, laid the foundation stone for the Faculty of Computer Sciences.

Speaking briefly, Justice Onnoghen applauded the university’s founder and Chancellor, Elder Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, describing his initiative as courageous and visionary in advancing education nationwide. He warned that any country neglecting the proper education and development of its youth risks a bleak future.

In his remarks, Minister Jisalo commended the decision to establish the institution in the FCT, noting that it will create significant employment opportunities and broaden access to quality education for young people in the territory. He urged the host community to safeguard the university and its personnel, emphasizing the immense benefits it promises to bring.

Earlier, the founder and Chancellor, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, described the ceremony as a moment of vision, faith, and purpose, symbolizing steady progress toward building a world-class university that will redefine academic excellence in Nigeria and Africa.

He explained that work on the site commenced with road construction, fencing, and excavation. Just days earlier, the foundation stone for the Ukala School of Engineering and Technology (USET) was laid by Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, marking another major milestone in the university’s development.

Dr. Onoja stressed that the university is being built deliberately and strategically, step by step, with the aim of creating a transformational institution that transcends conventional teaching and learning. According to him, FortLugard University is envisioned as an intellectual powerhouse that will produce graduates of character, competence, and creativity.

He outlined the university’s vision to become a center of academic excellence, moral integrity, technological advancement, and global competitiveness—where knowledge is produced, applied, and used to advance human progress. He added that its mission focuses on delivering cutting-edge academic programs rooted in discipline and world-class standards, cultivating leaders equipped with intellectual depth, innovative capacity, and strong ethical values.

Emphasizing the importance of research and industry-driven learning, he said the institution aims to address both local and global challenges while providing a conducive environment driven by technology, modern infrastructure, and global partnerships.

Dr. Onoja noted that the Senate Building will serve as the core of academic governance, housing leadership responsible for curriculum development, quality assurance, policy direction, and institutional integrity. Upon completion, the building will be named after Justice Onnoghen.

He highlighted that the Faculty of Computer Sciences represents the future of learning, especially as global progress is driven by artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing, and digital transformation. The faculty, he said, will serve as a hub for innovation, nurturing young talents capable of competing globally.

Acknowledging the massive scale of the project, the Chancellor called for sustained support from government, private sector partners, philanthropists, development agencies, and well-meaning individuals. He urged all who share the vision to contribute to building an institution that will serve future generations, transform lives, and foster national development.

He concluded by affirming that the foundation being laid today represents seeds of endless possibilities, assuring that FortLugard University is rising with strength and determination to become a world-class institution by God’s grace.