Tinubu, Otti Hail Academic Excellence as FUTO Holds 38th Convocation Ceremony in Owerri.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing universities of technology across the country, describing science, technology and innovation as critical drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The President stated this at the 38th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), held on Saturday, where he was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie, SAN.
Tinubu congratulated the graduating students and praised FUTO for sustaining academic excellence and contributing significantly to the nation’s technological development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, had continued to invest in infrastructure, research and technical education, noting that FUTO is among the beneficiaries of the ₦48 billion TETFund Special High-Impact Intervention Projects earmarked for federal universities.
The President emphasized that Nigeria must urgently bridge the technological gap in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, clean energy and quantum computing.
He urged universities of technology to remain faithful to their mandate of producing highly skilled manpower capable of driving industrialization and national development.
Tinubu also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting FUTO’s land from encroachment and called on university administrators to uphold sound governance, attract top academic talents and strengthen innovation-driven education.
He commended FUTO’s impressive record in producing graduates who are making significant contributions in manufacturing, oil and gas, information technology and other key sectors of the economy.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 13th Governing Council, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, described FUTO as a leading institution in technology and scientific education, renowned for producing job creators rather than job seekers.
He highlighted major achievements recorded under the administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna Oti, including stable academic calendars, introduction of new academic programmes, full accreditation of most courses, enhanced staff welfare, improved power supply and the commencement of a 1,200-bed hostel project through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
Senator Tilley-Gyado commended President Tinubu, Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Governor Hope Uzodinma and the university management for their support towards the institution’s growth.
Delivering what she described as her final convocation address as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna Oti reflected on the accomplishments of her five-year administration. She revealed that FUTO successfully eliminated two years of academic backlog inherited by her administration and graduated the same set of students she matriculated, with the Class of 2025 completing their programmes in record time.
According to her, the university’s national ranking improved from 34th to 11th position, while its graduates ranked second in the National Employability Index. She also disclosed that FUTO won 11 TETFund National Research Fund grants worth over ₦256 million in 2024 and established 17 new academic programmes within the period under review.
Professor Oti further highlighted landmark achievements including the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO), expansion of the university’s admission quota from over 5,000 to more than 9,000 students, international accreditation of selected postgraduate programmes and membership of global academic bodies.
She attributed many of the university’s infrastructural developments to interventions under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and thanked stakeholders for supporting her administration.
In his Remarks ,the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who represented Governor Alex Otti, congratulated the graduating students and commended the Vice-Chancellor and her team for their outstanding achievements in advancing the university.
Responding on behalf of the graduating students, the overall best graduating student, Mr. Onyeka Chinecherem, expressed gratitude to God, the university management and his parents for their support throughout his academic journey, pledging that the graduating class would uphold the values and reputation of FUTO.
The convocation ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Barrister Catherine Uju Ifejika; and Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata for their contributions to education and national development.
