Federal University Lokoja Says Theatre Outreach Was Academic, Not an Endorsement of Any Traditional Title

Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has moved to clear up what it calls a misunderstanding. The university says a community theatre exercise by its Department of Theatre Arts should not be read as a stand on who holds a contested traditional title in Lokoja.

The clarification was issued in a press release signed by Dr Tosin Olagunju, Director of the Directorate of Strategic Communication and Corporate Documentation. Everything below is the university’s own account.

What prompted the statement

The university says it noticed an online report by Cascade Communication Network, dated 17 October 2026, titled “FUL, Etsu Lokoja Palace Deepen Partnership for Community Development.” The report covered the department’s recent community theatre engagement in Karaworo New Layout, Lokoja.

According to FUL, the report raised concerns that the university was seen as recognising or endorsing a traditional leadership claim that is reportedly disputed. The university says the publication is not officially endorsed by it and did not appear on any of its platforms. It adds that the title, content and framing of the report should not be attributed to the university or treated as its official position.

A routine course activity

FUL explains that the Karaworo New Layout visit is part of THA 304 (Community Theatre), a course taken by 300-level students in the second semester of every academic session. The course gives students hands-on experience in participatory performance, cultural interaction and using theatre for community development.

The university says this is not new. The department has run similar engagements in Adankolo, Lokongoma and Ganaja, working with community representatives and traditional authorities, as is usual in community theatre practice. The Karaworo New Layout exercise followed the same pattern.

The question of Mr. Shelika

The release also addresses the traditional leadership position linked to Mr. Emmanuel Akamisoko Shelika. FUL says that when the first engagement took place in June 2026, the department knew of no issues surrounding that position. Mr. Shelika was introduced to the department in a traditional leadership capacity during the community visit, and the university says its dealings with him were solely to make the academic exercise possible.

The university states that neither FUL nor the Department of Theatre Arts meant to recognise him as the Etsu Nupe of Lokoja, validate any disputed title or give legitimacy to a contested claim. It adds that it also had no intention of undermining, displacing or disrespecting any duly constituted traditional institution.

What the university wants understood

FUL says the headline and framing of the online report were not meant as an official pronouncement on any traditional stool. It describes the exercise as a teaching and learning activity, not a political, cultural or institutional declaration.

The university says its community-based activities are guided by educational goals and are not meant to inflame disputes or take sides in traditional leadership disagreements. It regrets any concern the report caused and asks everyone involved to see the difference between academic engagement with a community and institutional endorsement of a particular traditional authority.

The takeaway

For students and the wider public, the message from FUL is simple. A university visiting a community as part of a course does not amount to taking sides in a local leadership dispute. The Department of Theatre Arts says it will keep running its activities professionally and impartially, with respect for all parties.