The Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin Ekiti, has received approval from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to increase its admission quota to 3,300 students, a move that expands access for Nigerian students seeking university placement.
Quota Increase Announced at Maiden Press Conference
Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTES, made the announcement on Monday during the institution’s first press conference held in Iyin Ekiti. He said the decision followed the growth recorded by the university since it began academic activities in January 2026.
According to Aribisala, FUTES started operations with 1,564 students across 35 departments and four faculties. The faculties currently include Natural and Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Computing and Information Technology, and Environmental Sciences.
New Programmes and Admission Requirements
The Vice-Chancellor said the university was preparing to expand its academic offerings, with plans to introduce programmes such as Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication Science, and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
“Plans are underway to begin Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing and Medicine in no too distant time. There is also plan to add Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication Science, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. The development of the permanent site is ongoing,” Aribisala stated.
He added that the university had introduced strict admission measures to ensure that only qualified candidates gained admission based on merit.
Vision and Development Projects
Aribisala said the institution’s goal was to build a 21st-century university focused on research, innovation, academic excellence and a strong learning environment. He said FUTES was committed to producing graduates who could develop solutions to some of Nigeria’s biggest challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the university in 2025 and introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student loan scheme. He described NELFUND as “one of the greatest things to happen to university education in Nigeria”.
“A good number of our students are already benefiting from the NELFUND. The President is highly commended for this great initiative,” he said.
The university showcased some of its development projects, including classrooms, laboratories and other learning facilities. According to Aribisala, the institution’s take-off grant has helped provide laboratory equipment, classroom and office furniture, solar power installation and an ongoing 250-capacity ICT building.
Other projects include completed hostels at the temporary site and ongoing hostel construction at the permanent campus. The university is also receiving support through TETFund interventions covering hostel accommodation, office furniture, lecture theatres, laboratories and workshop equipment.
Academic Calendar and Research Priorities
Aribisala said FUTES would maintain a residential model to encourage discipline, learning and social development among students. He envisioned a university that is residential, ICT compliant, produces quality graduates that create jobs, attracts globally visible research stars, contributes to socio-development of the immediate community, and becomes one of the leading universities globally within the first 10 years of its establishment.
He confirmed that the university completed its first academic session (2025/2026) in August, while the 2026/2027 academic session will begin on October 12, 2026. On staff welfare, he said the institution had complied with the new salary agreements reached between the Federal Government and university unions.
Research remains a major priority, especially in technology and environmental science fields. Aribisala noted that a team headed by Dr Solomon Popoola won the NRF research grant, and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has pledged funds for research to the tune of N1bn in the next five years. The university has also established multi-disciplinary research groups and is working with Morgan State University, USA on collaboration.
