…Gets N10 Million Prize Money
The Federal University of Technology Akure,FUTA has won the 2026 edition of the Young Ocean Scholars University Research Competition held in commemoration of the World Hydrography Day under the aegis of the National Hydrographic Agency.
Team FUTA consisting of three members: Dr. Ifechukwu Nzelibe a Lecturer and two students Adepoju Jethro and Aborisade Ayomiposi all from the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics emerged winners of the research competition organised by the National Hydrographic Agency at Lagos Oriental hotel, Saturday 20th June 2026. The research was centered on the theme for the 2026 World Hydrography Day celebration ,”Transforming How Ocean Data is Shared.”
In a letter of notification to FUTA, UK EREGE a Lieutenant Commander in the Nigerian Navy who wrote on behalf of the Hydrographer of the Federation/CEO National Hydrographic Agency said FUTA emerged 1st Place and Winner in the Young Ocean Scholars (YOS) University Research Hydrography Competition organised as part of activities marking the 2026 World Hydrography Day (WHD) Celebration.
According to him, “Following a rigorous assessment process conducted by an independent panel of experts drawn from academia, the industry and the NHA, FUTA’s submission was adjudged the best entry in the university category of the competition. On behalf of the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydrographic Agency, I warmly congratulate your institution, the supervising lecturer and the research students on this remarkable achievement.”
At the end of the adjudication, the judges declared the entry of FUTA the best of all the submitted entries while the Team from Federal University of Technology Owerri ,FUTO and Bayero University Kano came Second and Third respectively behind FUTA which clinched the First position. Twelve Universities Selected from the Country’s Six geopolitical zones took part in the competition. geopolitical zones.
For being the best FUTA was rewarded with a cash price of N10 million naira and 2 laptop computers for this landmark achievement. The team was encouraged to publish the findings of the research paper. Also to foster training in areas of Hydrography FUTA was encouraged to collaborate with the National Hydrographic Agency NHA.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji has congratulated members of the winning Team for bringing honour to the University. ” I congratulate Dr. Ifechukwu U. Nzelibe a Lecturer and two students Adepoju, Jethro I. and Aborisade, Ayomiposi E.on this major achievement. They have written the name of our University in Gold. They are Worthy Ambassadors of FUTA”, the Vice Chancellor stated.
The YOS hydrography competition was established to promote awareness and understanding of hydrography, ocean science, marine geospatial information, and the Blue Economy among young scholars while encouraging innovative thinking on contemporary ocean-related challenges.