The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), is poised to celebrate a significant academic milestone as it prepares to graduate a total of 2,747 students during its upcoming 36th convocation ceremonies.
Out of this number, an impressive 240 scholars have achieved the pinnacle of academic success by earning first-class honours degrees. This announcement was made by the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, during a pre-convocation press briefing held on the university campus.
Breakdown of Academic Achievements
Providing a detailed breakdown of the results, Professor Oladiji revealed that the majority of the graduating class, 1,479 students, will be awarded second class upper division degrees. A further 912 students graduated with second class lower division, while 116 students obtained third class honours.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that these outstanding results reflect FUTA's unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence, research-driven teaching, and innovation. She attributed the remarkable performance of the first-class graduates to their consistent effort, discipline, and the conducive learning environment the university provides.
Postgraduate Awards and Valedictorian
Beyond the undergraduate cohort, the university will also confer postgraduate degrees upon 867 students. This includes 627 Master of Technology (MTECH) degrees, 86 Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), and 154 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) awards.
The ceremonies will be split across two days, with first degrees being awarded on Friday and the postgraduate awards following on Saturday. The valedictory speech will be delivered by Akindunbi Aduragbemi Isaac from the Department of Civil Engineering, who emerged as the overall best graduating student with a near-perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.98 out of a possible 5.0.
Innovation, Funding, and Future Outlook
Reaffirming the university's mission, Prof. Oladiji stated that FUTA is determined to produce graduates who are not only employable but are also job creators through innovation and entrepreneurship. To this end, the institution has introduced new, industry-relevant academic programmes such as Fintech, Procurement and Value Chain Technology, and Entrepreneurship Technology.
Despite facing funding challenges, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the university has held tuition fees steady for the past two years. Management has devised alternative revenue streams, including research collaborations, agricultural ventures, and consultancy services.
She also highlighted the impact of the Federal Government's student loan scheme, administered by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), revealing that over 3,000 FUTA students have already benefited. She described the scheme as a major relief for undergraduates but lamented the low level of awareness and application rates, urging more students to take advantage of the opportunity.
Commending the federal government for its support, Professor Oladiji concluded that FUTA will continue its work towards producing world-class graduates equipped with the knowledge, creativity, and character needed to transform the nation.
