FUTO Holds 36th Convocation Ceremony, Honours Oluremi Tinubu, Uzodimma, Others

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has commenced activities for its 36th Convocation Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the 2022/2023 graduating class and recognizing distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development.

This is even coming as the Senate and Council of the University have finalized plans to confer honorary degrees on eminent and distinguished Nigerians for their invaluable contributions to national development and FUTO’s growth. Among the honorees are:
Her Excellency, Senator (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, OON, CON, the First Lady of the Republic of Nigeria.
His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, the Executive Governor of Imo State, recognized for his pivotal role in securing presidential approval for the upgrade of the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri, to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO), as well as addressing security and land encroachment challenges involving host communities as well as His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umaru Zulum, CON, the Executive Governor of Borno State.

At a press conference held on December 3, 2024, at the Council Chambers, FUTO, to mark the commencement of activities for the convocation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, disclosed that an ecumenical service would take place today, December 4, 2024, at the Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri International Conference Center, FUTO.

She also announced that the 36th Convocation Lecture, titled “Impact of Leadership Selection Process on Governance in Public Universities in Nigeria,” will be delivered by Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 12:00 noon. Later that day, the Chancellor’s Cocktail and Alumni Night will commence at Oxygen Hotels, Owerri, at 6:00 PM.

Prof. Oti noted that on Friday, December 6, 2024, there will be an inspection and commissioning of projects in FUTO by the visitors. This will be followed by the conferment of First Degrees and the presentation of awards at the Convocation Arena, located within the University Staff Premises, at 11:00 AM.

The admission to Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the University Convocation Arena, starting at 12:00 noon.

The Vice-Chancellor further affirmed that a total of 5,188 (five thousand, one hundred and eighty-eight) students will be conferred with First Degrees, while 632 (six hundred and thirty-two) graduands will receive Higher Degrees.

While congratulating the graduands on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Congregation, staff, and students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on their remarkable academic achievements, Prof. Nnenna Oti also highlighted some of the university’s accomplishments over the past year.

She noted significant progress in academics, the Center of Excellence, physical development, research exploits, ICT, staff welfare, and awards. These achievements include the full accreditation of 21 academic programs and five-year full accreditation by the following professional bodies:
The Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN); The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON); The Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN); The Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC); The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON).

” The University for the first time now has international accreditation for two programmes of the Africa Center of Excellence in Future Energies and Electromical systems by the high Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education. This international accreditation has enhanced our global relevance and visibility.
Also the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) just concluded their pre- clinical accreditation of our Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery Program (MBBS) in November, 2024, with full accreditation granted to FUTO and a doubling of our admission quota from 50-100. The implication is that the FUTO College of Medicine is now listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Our medical students now qualify to write licensing examinations in all the countries of the world, including USA, UK, etc”.

Other remarkable achievements include the establishment of FUTO African Centers of Excellence worth $6 million, the improved ranking of the University to No. 14 among over 300 universities in Nigeria, and the inclusion of FUTO in a global university ranking list for the first time. Additional achievements include physical infrastructure development, enhancements in power and ICT infrastructure, timely promotion of staff, advancements in research and development, recognition by international bodies, increased publications, productive works and patents, as well as awards and honors won by students and alumni. FUTO students have also benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Students Scholarship Loan Scheme. Furthermore, the university has improved its security architecture and embarked on a new phase of corporate social responsibility, among other accomplishments.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Oti, also highlighted some challenges confronting the University, including encroachment on FUTO land, the hostile and uncooperative attitude of host communities, lack of staff quarters, inadequate power supply, insufficient library and laboratory facilities, poor road networks, inadequate hostel accommodation, and financial constraints. She appealed to all stakeholders and philanthropists to support the University’s developmental efforts to position FUTO as a world-class institution.

She commended staff and faculty for their dedication, particularly in clearing academic arrears caused by COVID-19 disruptions and union strikes, while urging continued collaboration to sustain the university’s developmental strides.

The 36th Convocation Ceremony promises to be a celebration of excellence, innovation, and resilience, underscoring FUTO’s commitment to academic and societal advancement.