FIC Report (Ekiti State) – As part of efforts to ensure the smooth commencement of academic activities and to lay the foundation for a 21st-century institution, a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), tagged the Ministerial Assessment Team, has visited the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti.
The Six-Man Team comprised Mrs. Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of Universities, Federal Ministry of Education; Dr. Kareem Olawale, Deputy Director of Academic Planning, NUC; Dr. Joe Bisong, Deputy Director, Federal University of Education; Mrs. Elizabeth Emma-Egoro, Assistant Director; Mallam Shehu Mohammed Aliyu; and Mr. Markus Jonas who served as the Secretary of the team. A member of the university’s Governing Council, Professor Rotimi Sanya, also joined the delegation for the exercise.
The team inspected facilities ready for use at both the temporary and permanent sites of the university which included the ICT building, central laboratory, chemistry and physics laboratories, classrooms, clinic, library, boreholes, hostels and a 500-seater auditorium.
Ongoing projects also observed included additional classrooms, religious centres, eateries, Staff accommodations and security posts.
The team also identified additional needs for the university’s effective take-off which included official vehicles for the four principal officers, 10 Directors, the Pro-Chancellor, four Deans, four additional coaster buses, 25 laptops for principal officers and Heads of units, a well-equipped library, Hilux vehicles for security personnel, and other utility vehicles.
The university, with the support of illustrious sons and daughters of Iyin-Ekiti and other well-wishers has secured 200 hectares of land, as well as accommodations for the Vice Chancellor and Registrar, with several buildings having been donated to facilitate the university’s take-off.
During the on-the-spot assessment, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Aribisala, presented the university’s physical master plan and prototype for Phase One development and also showcased the university’s functional website as well as other digital platforms ready for deployment.
The team raised questions on various aspects of the institution’s preparedness, including strategies for realising its ambitious goals, security arrangements, provision of potable water, stable electricity, Staff recruitment and a paradigm shift from existing practices in Nigerian universities.
In response, Professor Aribisala emphasised that the university was partnering with security agencies and leveraging community policing to guarantee safety, highlighting the peaceful nature of Iyin-Ekiti and surrounding areas.
“FUTES is determined to build a 21st-century university. We plan to convert waste to wealth by generating electricity for our use and eventually for the host community”, he stated.
On Staff recruitment, he added: “Appointments into the university will be strictly merit-based. We will advertise vacancies in national dailies and on digital platforms to attract qualified applicants from across Nigeria. Computer literacy will be a key requirement, as we aim to recruit only the best.”
He acknowledged that many of the projects were capital-intensive and said the university was seeking partnerships with well-meaning individuals and organisations to realise its goals, particularly the development of an administrative building.
Commenting on challenges in tertiary institutions, Professor Aribisala advocated increased oversight to ensure that university managements fulfil their mandates.
FUTES Registrar, Mr. Oluwole Dada, also presented relevant documentation to the team and pledged that all additional required documents and procedures would be submitted to facilitate the university’s inauguration.
During a courtesy visit to the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaiye, the Monarch lauded the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu for siting the university in the town, assuring the team of the community’s full support.
“We are ready to assist wherever needed. I urge you not to be swayed by the negative comments of mischief-makers on social media. Iyin-Ekiti is united and committed to the meaningful development of this university,” the monarch said.
In interviews, the team leader, Mrs. Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu and NUC representative, Dr. Joe Bisong, expressed satisfaction with the infrastructural development already achieved, especially given that the university was yet to access its take-off grant.
They commended the University Management for its accomplishments within just two months of assuming office.
She added that the team would compile and submit its report based on the visit, noting that the establishment of FUTES was a commendable step towards Nigeria’s development, expressing optimism that the institution would meet the standards of a modern, globally competitive university.
The team encouraged the Vice Chancellor to leverage research for meaningful development, particularly in energy generation and sustainable practice.
Mrs. Gambo-Ilyasu also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to raising educational standards, emphasising the importance of appointing competent leadership, recruiting passionate personnel, and positioning institutions to embrace modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), for national transformation.
Signed
Ayeni Omoniyi
CIA&PRO
13/06/2025.
