FIC Report (Abia State) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Abia State Governor Alex Otti have commended the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) for its remarkable strides in academic excellence, innovation, and technological advancement as the institution held its 38th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday.
Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin, Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie (SAN), President Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing universities of technology, describing science, technology, and innovation as essential pillars for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Congratulating the graduating students, the President lauded FUTO’s consistent contributions to technological development and disclosed that the institution is among the beneficiaries of the ₦48 billion TETFund Special High-Impact Intervention Projects designed to strengthen infrastructure, research, and technical education in federal universities.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to close the technological gap in critical emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, clean energy, and quantum computing, urging universities of technology to remain focused on producing skilled manpower capable of driving industrialization and national growth.
President Tinubu also assured the university of the Federal Government’s support in protecting its land from encroachment while encouraging university administrators to uphold sound governance, attract top academic talent, and promote innovation-driven education.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUTO’s 13th Governing Council, Jack Tilley-Gyado, described the institution as a leading centre of excellence renowned for producing entrepreneurs and innovators.
He highlighted several achievements recorded under the administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Nnenna Oti, including stable academic calendars, the introduction of new academic programmes, full accreditation of most courses, improved staff welfare, enhanced power supply, and the commencement of a 1,200-bed hostel project through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
In her valedictory convocation address as FUTO’s eighth substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oti reflected on the successes of her five-year tenure, noting that her administration cleared a two-year academic backlog inherited from previous administrations and ensured that the Class of 2025 completed their programmes within record time.
She revealed that the university’s national ranking improved from 34th to 11th position, while its graduates ranked second on the National Employability Index. According to her, FUTO secured 11 TETFund National Research Fund grants valued at over ₦256 million in 2024 and established 17 new academic programmes.
Professor Oti further highlighted key milestones, including the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, expansion of the institution’s admission quota from over 5,000 to more than 9,000 students, international accreditation of selected postgraduate programmes, and increased global academic partnerships.
Representing Governor Alex Otti, Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, congratulated the graduating students and praised the Vice-Chancellor and her management team for their outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the university’s reputation.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, the overall best graduating student, Onyeka Chinecherem, expressed gratitude to God, the university management, lecturers, and parents for their support, pledging that the graduates would uphold the institution’s values and reputation wherever they find themselves.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Catherine Uju Ifejika, and Sayyu Idris Dantata in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education, philanthropy, and national development.
The convocation ceremony attracted government officials, academics, traditional rulers, alumni, parents, and distinguished guests from across the country, underscoring FUTO’s growing stature as one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions of science and technology.
Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor
10/06/2026
