About Us
The Department of Philosophy, Federal University of Lafia commenced in the 2015/2016 academic session, when the National University Commission approved its establishment. It started with only the Bachelor of Arts Philosophy Programme with a total of six (6) pioneer academic staff, four (4) administrative staff, two (2) Youth Corps Members and a total of twenty-five (25) students. Currently, a total of seventy-six (76) students are pursuing their B. A. degree programme at 400 Level, fifty-six (56) at 300 Level, fifty-seven (57) at 200 Level and one hundred and twenty-eight (128) at 100 Level in the just concluded first semester 2022/2023 academic session. As a result, the Department of Philosophy has a total of three hundred and seventeen (317) students currently pursuing the B. A. Philosophy degree programme of the University at various levels. So far, the Department has produced four (4) sets of graduates from 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions respectively. Given the level of dedication and commitment on the part of the academic staff on ground, the Department is able to effectively run the courses on the B.A. programme of the University in accordance with the NUC minimum benchmark for Nigerian Universities from 100 to 400 levels. The department was fully accredited by the National University Commission (NUC) in 2021. Also, arrangements are underway for the commencement of postgraduate programmes in the department.
Our goals
The goals of the Department in all her programmes include:
i. Equipping the student with the capacity for critical thinking, sound judgment and precepts governing human conduct.
ii. Facilitating and bridging the gap between academic/professional philosophy and social practice, particularly in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
iii. Seeking to discover and/or create and establish the especially African contribution to global philosophy.
iv. Providing courses which would be of interest to other departments and disciplines, as a way of encouraging an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of philosophy and of recognizing the wide-ranging nature of the subject.
v. Providing a solid foundation in philosophy for those who want to do professional/academic philosophy.
vi. Exposing the student to a deep understanding of the meaning and nature of reality as the student navigates daily experiences.
i. Equipping the student with the capacity for critical thinking, sound judgment and precepts governing human conduct.
ii. Facilitating and bridging the gap between academic/professional philosophy and social practice, particularly in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
iii. Seeking to discover and/or create and establish the especially African contribution to global philosophy.
iv. Providing courses which would be of interest to other departments and disciplines, as a way of encouraging an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of philosophy and of recognizing the wide-ranging nature of the subject.
v. Providing a solid foundation in philosophy for those who want to do professional/academic philosophy.
vi. Exposing the student to a deep understanding of the meaning and nature of reality as the student navigates daily experiences.
Programmes
B. A. Philosophy programme
The B. A. Philosophy programme in Federal University of Lafia is designed to teach the students to think logically, write critically and speak coherently at all times. This is done by providing a solid foundation for thorough instruction in the traditional disciplines of Philosophy which will constitute a solid rational basis for good thinking and right conduct, as well as a foundation for building a just human society. The department is committed to teach the students to cultivate a critical attitude towards the beliefs and values. The courses offered in the Department are in accordance with the approved CCMAS of the National University Commission (NUC).
Postgraduate Programmes
The Department is preparing to commence four Postgraduate programmes both onsite and online, namely:
1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. Master of Arts in Philosophy (M.A)
3. Master of Professional Ethics (MPE)
4. Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy (PGD)
The B. A. Philosophy programme in Federal University of Lafia is designed to teach the students to think logically, write critically and speak coherently at all times. This is done by providing a solid foundation for thorough instruction in the traditional disciplines of Philosophy which will constitute a solid rational basis for good thinking and right conduct, as well as a foundation for building a just human society. The department is committed to teach the students to cultivate a critical attitude towards the beliefs and values. The courses offered in the Department are in accordance with the approved CCMAS of the National University Commission (NUC).
Postgraduate Programmes
The Department is preparing to commence four Postgraduate programmes both onsite and online, namely:
1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. Master of Arts in Philosophy (M.A)
3. Master of Professional Ethics (MPE)
4. Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy (PGD)
Staff of the department
HOD's profile
Paul Terngu Haaga, PhD is an Associate Professor in Philosophy and currently the Ag. Head, Department of Philosophy at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. He holds a Doctorate Degree in the Philosophy of Law and an M.A in Social and Political Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively. He has published scholarly researched articles in reputable national and international peer reviewed journals including journal of Integrative Humanism, Filosofia Theoretica and he has also published in the Routledge; Human Rights and the Environment in Africa: A Research Companion (2023). He sits on the Editorial Boards of at least six reputable academic journals. He is currently the Editor in chief, Nasara Journal of Philosophy (NAJOP), Editors of Lafiya Journal of Arts (LAJA) and also, Philosophy and Praxis published by Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Federal University of Lafia respectively and Association of Philosophy Professional of Nigeria (APPON).
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Conference & Workshop
Journal
The Department houses one of the most consistent peer-reviewed Journals in Philosophy. Nasara Journal of Philosophy (Najop) was established in 2016 to provide academics and researchers a desired platform to publish their research findings. Najop publishes both in print and online biannually. At present it has successfully published nineteen (19) volumes from 2016 to 2023.
The Department houses one of the most consistent peer-reviewed Journals in Philosophy. Nasara Journal of Philosophy (Najop) was established in 2016 to provide academics and researchers a desired platform to publish their research findings. Najop publishes both in print and online biannually. At present it has successfully published nineteen (19) volumes from 2016 to 2023.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general University admission requirements, candidates seeking admission into B.A. Philosophy should possess:
(i) Five ‘O’ level credit passes in relevant subjects of the SSCE/NECO/GCE examinations, which must include English and four other related subjects from Arts, Social Sciences and Science for the 4 – year (8 Semester) programme.
(ii) Direct Entry candidates must in addition to the UTME requirements possess a minimum of 2 GCE (Advanced Level) passes or its equivalent, one of which should be Diploma in Law, HND/ND in the Humanities or Social and Management Sciences for the 3 – year (6 Semester) programme.
(iii) To graduate, a UTME student must pass a minimum of 120 credit units including all required courses. For the Direct Entry, students must pass a minimum of 90 credit units including all required courses.
(i) Five ‘O’ level credit passes in relevant subjects of the SSCE/NECO/GCE examinations, which must include English and four other related subjects from Arts, Social Sciences and Science for the 4 – year (8 Semester) programme.
(ii) Direct Entry candidates must in addition to the UTME requirements possess a minimum of 2 GCE (Advanced Level) passes or its equivalent, one of which should be Diploma in Law, HND/ND in the Humanities or Social and Management Sciences for the 3 – year (6 Semester) programme.
(iii) To graduate, a UTME student must pass a minimum of 120 credit units including all required courses. For the Direct Entry, students must pass a minimum of 90 credit units including all required courses.
Welcome Address
I warmly welcome you all to the Department of Philosophy, Federal University of Lafia. We are poised to take our students through the cultivation of proven integrity and strength of character by instruction against the background of reliable traditions in the discipline of philosophy with particular reference to Ethics, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Logic and cognate areas of acquisition of skills, talents and norms for daily leaving. It is hoped that when students are acquainted with relevant philosophical ideas, they will be able to engage their everyday reality which include social relations, appreciation of their environment and provision of energy and ethical significant for action and knowledge.