Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology was created alongside other Departments when the University commenced its studies in the 2011/2012 academic session. The bachelor’s degree in social work came up as a programme in the Department of Sociology in the 2013/2014 Academic Session. In the 2018/2019 academic session, Social Work became a full-fledged Department and was separated from Department of Sociology, but we still maintain mutual relationship in terms of research, teaching, and exchange programmes. Only recently in November 2023, through the visionary approach of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, a second programme has again gained full autonomy; that is the B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme which is now a full-fledged Department with Dr. Imam Hassan, a Criminologist, as its new Head of Department. These two growth projectiles from our humble homestead, indicate the dynamism which follows the positive attributions that engaging in sociological research can engender for human development. Meaning basically that no matter how you view it, Sociology enables thrusts in various academic directions that put the human being at its very centre of endeavour. Such that alongside pursuing the vision and mission of the Federal University of Lafia, our students acquire research skills that can, upon graduation, grant self-evident independence for income generation and self-reliance in a world suitably favoured to obtaining and maintaining sustainable developmental goals. The Department is therefore continuously guided by its vision of being dynamic and well-grounded in research and scholarship using global best practices. We are also working assiduously to develop and inculcate in both staff and students a research culture that will enable them to contribute positively to social research, social policy, and societal development.

Considering the need to produce a crop of graduates equipped with appropriate knowledge to make contributions to the development of Nigeria, Africa and the global community, the philosophy of the Sociology degree programme, and its specialisations, is to equip students with sociological values, analytical skills and develop their critical minds towards societal issues and ability to proffer solutions to societal challenges, to enable them to become innovative and as well fit into all facets of the society.

VISION To build a dynamic Department grounded in research and scholarship in line with global best practice. MISSION To develop and inculcate in both staff and students a research culture that will enable them to contribute positively to social research, social policy and societal development.

The Department was among the first to commence postgraduate studies in the 2016/2017 academic year with about twenty-two (22) students at the PGD, thirty-two (32) M.Sc. and twenty (20) M.Phil./PhD levels. Today the programmes which comprise of specializations in Medical Sociology, Anthropology, Sociology of Gender, Demography, Sociology of Development, Industrial Sociology, Rural Sociology and Criminology, have graduated forty-one (41) PGD, forty-two (42) M.Sc. and sixteen (16) Ph.D. students. Postgraduate scholarship in the Department of Sociology, Federal University of Lafia offers students the opportunity of studying in an enabling atmosphere with highly competent academics who are dedicated to impacting sustainable and developmental knowledge and skills.

The Department of Sociology provides guidance for both staff and students via its mentoring scheme that is poised to render mentees with academic, administrative, and interpersonal guidance from mentors who are more experienced than themselves. This functions not only to provide direction for mentees on becoming sound academics cum administrators in line with the University’s goals, but it also helps them with the necessary skills and support system to building up viable careers thus enhancing career opportunities and development, a healthy workplace culture as entrenched by the productive relationship among colleagues’ continuity in skills.

Candidates aspiring to study B.Sc. Sociology must obtain five passes at credit level in Mathematics and English Language as well as passes at credit level in any three of the following: Government, Economics, Geography, History, Christian/Islamic Religious studies, and any other arts subjects at the SSCE, GCE, NECO or their equivalent at not more than two sittings in addition to meeting up the JAMB requirements for admission. At the postgraduate level, candidates wishing to study in the Department are required to fulfil the following conditions depending on the degree one is applying for. PGD- Credit level pass in both English Language and mathematics, minimum of a third class Bachelor’s degree in Sociology or related discipline, HND or professional qualifications cognate to Sociology. Waiver could be given for candidates with work experience. M.Sc.- Five O’level credits including English Language and Mathematics, minimum of second class (lower Division) Bachelor’s degree from an approved University, postgraduate diploma with an average of 60%, PGD at credit level pass on weighted percentage average. Ph.D.- Meet matriculation requirements of credit level pass in both English Language and Mathematics, passes Masters degree with an average of 60% from this University or other accredited university.