The President and Visitor to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated the commitment of his government to the revitalization of the university system and repositioning of the entire education sector of the country through improved funding and other critical reforms.
He stated this while addressing graduands at the 36th convocation ceremony of the University held at the Obafemi Awolowo auditorium of the institution on Saturday, 15th November, 2025.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu said, “This administration is aware of the importance of university education in upgrading the living standard of the people of this country and enabling them to become better and more productive citizens. In tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, government is committed to making education play the pivotal role as the driving hub for national growth, prosperity and development. This is why government is determined to make education more robust, responsive and globally competitive. In order to address challenges in the Nigerian system, government has developed a blueprint for the rapid revitalization of university education system in Nigeria which is focusing on improved funding, expanding access, modernizing infrastructure and empowering both staff and students. These efforts are primarily executed through agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).”
Speaking on the relevance of research to nation building he said ,“It is very pertinent to emphasize that the interconnectivity between our tertiary institutions and industry should be more impactful, being such that industries could readily make use of for mutual benefits. This administration recognizes the critical role of science, technology and innovation in our national development. We are therefore committed to policies that strengthen education, promote research funding, and foster collaborations between universities and industries. We are also pursuing the digital economy agenda, renewable energy initiatives, and infrastructure development, all of which open new opportunities for your graduates to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.”
To the graduands, the President said “I believe you have all been adequately prepared to confront the challenges in the competitive labour marker. I enjoin you to deploy your proficiency in diverse entrepreneurial activities, agricultural and ICT skills and the basic theoretical scientific knowledge and applications to create jobs in your respective fields and be self-reliant. Government is equally hopeful that you will all defend your new status as graduates through consistent hard work, increased focus, patriotic citizenship and unalloyed commitment to national unity, peace and progress.”
Tinubu commended the Chancellor, Governing Council led by Senator (Professor) Nora Daduut, the Management team under the watch of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, staff and students of FUTA for making Nigeria proud through academic break through.
The Pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council Senator Nora Daduut in a remark at the ceremony acknowledged and appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).
She confirmed that About 3,000 students of FUTA have benefitted from this scheme. She also charged the graduating students to show the world the quality of training they got from FUTA. She said, “ I charge you to make the most of your academic attainments to reshape the fortunes of our country for the betterment of the citizenry. You are now solution providers to the odds in the society as your disciplines may determine. Your neighbourhood is waiting for your input to solve their problems in your innovations on board to make Nigeria better. I encourage you to tighten your belts and focus on turning things around for better in our country. Once again, Congratulations!”
Earlier in her speech, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji expressed gratitude to God for the events marking the 36th convocation of the university. She said “today’s occasion is yet another time to give account to the stakeholders of the University. In the face of the current socio-economic circumstances and inevitable reforms, it has been a bit tough. But as rational beings we have been able to process the current hardship as a necessity for future gains. We know for certain, that if we remain focused and diligent, we have a glorious future ahead of us.”
Speaking on the modest achievements by the University, she said ‘Our congenial industrial environment and collective commitment towards the Vision of the University helped to maintain her position as the foremost University of Technology in Nigeria and one of the leading universities in Nigeria. In the Times Higher Education Ranking of Universities for year 2025, The Federal University of Technology, Akure was ranked among the Top Ten Universities in Nigeria. Adding that The Department of Meteorology and Climate Science of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, was reconfirmed as the Regional Training Centre (RTC) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for another period of five years.
The status of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA as a component of the WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Nigeria was decided according to Resolution 8 (EC.79) made by the WMO Executive Council (EC) at its 79th Session in June 2025.
Praising the research drive of the university, the Vice Chancellor said “the exploits of our researchers continued to earn recognitions within and outside the shores of Nigeria. During the just-concluded academic session, three (3) research groups in the University won separate international grants worth £136,511.00. Within the same period, the Centre for Research and Development (CERAD) of the University coordinated the award of twelve (12) research proposals under the National Research Fund 2024 Grant Cycle. The projects worth N341,608,592.80 (Three hundred and forty-one Million, Six hundred and eight thousand, Five hundred and ninety two Naira, eighty Kobo) were approved in July 2025 by the Board of Trustees of TETFund. FUTA is also a beneficiary of TETFund N1Billion Commercial Agriculture Fund initiated by our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
Professor Oladiji commended President Tinubu and other stakeholders for ensuring FUTA remain steadfast in making giant strides in the education sector locally and globally she said ”we are grateful for the various interventions of the Federal Government in our University which have significantly improved the teaching and learning environment. Our Vision is to be A world-class University of Technology and Centre of Excellence in Training, Research and Service Delivery, and we believe strongly that by the grace of God and the goodwill of Your Excellency, we can achieve it. We thank you most sincerely for the recent approval of the take-off of FUTA Teaching Hospital, Akure.”
A total of 1,030 bagged the University’s post graduate degrees with 91 Post Graduate diploma, 647 Master of Technology, 169 Doctor of Philosophy and 123 in the School of Professional Development. 2,747 graduates from across ten schools, comprising 240 First Class, 1,479 Second Class (Upper Division), 912 Second Class (Lower Division), and 116 Third Class degrees, were awarded the first degrees of the institution on Friday November 14,2025.In his valedictory address Akindunbi Aduragbemi Isaac who graduated as best student of the 2024/2025 academic session with a CGPA of 4.98 from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department reminded fellow graduands of the importance of perseverance, integrity, and creativity.