The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), will graduate a total of 3,358 students during its 38th Convocation Ceremony, as the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna N. Oti, prepares to conclude her tenure after overseeing significant academic, research and infrastructural growth.
Speaking during a pre-convocation press briefing at the university's Council Chamber on Tuesday, Prof. Oti described the upcoming ceremony as a landmark event that coincides with the end of her administration as FUTO's eighth substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“This particular convocation holds something unique for me because it forms part of my end-of-tenure activities and offers me the opportunity to render my final account as I bow out as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of this great institution,” she said.
According to her, 3,061 students will receive first degrees, while 297 candidates will be awarded postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees during the convocation scheduled for June 6, 2026.
She announced that the overall best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session is Onyeka Remigius Chinecherem of the Department of Optometry, who achieved an outstanding cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.91 on a 5.0 scale.
As part of the ceremony, the university will confer honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to national development and humanity. The honourees are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR; Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, Barr. Catherine Uju Ifejika, OFR; and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MRS Holdings Limited, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata.
Reflecting on the achievements recorded under her leadership, Prof. Oti revealed that FUTO made remarkable progress in national and global rankings.
She noted that the university rose from 34th to 11th position in Nigeria according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, while its graduates ranked second in the National Employability Index assessment.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that FUTO secured 11 National Research Fund (NRF) grants valued at more than N256 million in 2024 alone and won a total of 36 NRF awards over the past five years.
In the academic sector, she said her administration established 17 new academic programmes and successfully facilitated the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO).
Prof. Oti also highlighted substantial improvements in programme accreditation, noting that the university now boasts 66 fully accredited programmes, up from 45 when she assumed office.
“Almost 100 per cent of our programmes now have full National Universities Commission and professional accreditation status,” she stated.
On admissions, she revealed that the institution's carrying capacity increased by more than 80 per cent, growing from over 5,000 students in 2021 to more than 9,000 currently.
The Vice-Chancellor equally reported major gains in administrative efficiency, particularly in transcript processing.
“Transcript processing time was reduced from three to six months to less than two weeks, while processing efficiency now stands at over 98 per cent,” she said.
Prof. Oti highlighted the success of the university's Centres of Excellence in attracting international funding and research investments. According to her, the FUTO Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems secured funding exceeding $6 million alongside grants worth more than £1 million.
Similarly, the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards attracted funding of over $15 million.
She further disclosed that the university attracted infrastructure investments exceeding N150 billion from the Federal Government, TETFund, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), private organisations, alumni associations and development partners during her tenure.
On power supply, the Vice-Chancellor said FUTO now enjoys uninterrupted electricity through the successful implementation of the Energizing Education Programme Phase III Project and the installation of a 63MVA Mobile Substation.
“It gladdens my heart to inform this distinguished audience that FUTO now enjoys 24-hour uninterrupted power supply,” she said.
Prof. Oti expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, TETFund, donor agencies, alumni and friends of the university for their support, which she said contributed significantly to the institution's growth and development.
The 38th Convocation Ceremony is expected to celebrate not only the achievements of graduating students but also the accomplishments of an administration that has reshaped the university's academic and infrastructural landscape.
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