The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), is set to confer first-class honors degrees upon 195 students during its 33rd convocation ceremony for the 2020/2021 academic session, scheduled from November 10th to 18th, 2023. Addressing journalists on Friday, November 10th, 2023, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced that over 3,000 students would receive their first degrees, with Miss Oluwanifemi Favour Olajuyigbe from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering emerging as the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.
Breaking down the distribution of degrees, Professor Oladiji revealed that 195 students achieved First Class Division, 1,510 secured Second Class Upper, 1,515 obtained Second Class Lower, 254 earned Third Class, and 2 fell in the Pass Division. Additionally, the university will confer Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Doctoral degrees on 1,806 graduands, including 229 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 940 Masters Degrees, 86 Master of Business Administration, 61 Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and 490 Postgraduate Diplomas.
The convocation ceremony, spanning a week and beginning on November 10th, 2023, will culminate in the award of first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, masters degrees, and doctorate degrees on November 17th and 18th, 2023. A key highlight of the event is the Convocation Lecture titled “Knowledge and Research: The Foundation of Prosperous Economy,” to be delivered by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy on November 16th, 2023, at the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium, FUTA, at 3 PM.
Professor Oladiji highlighted ongoing developmental initiatives, encompassing both material and non-material support such as lecture theaters, laboratories, hostel accommodation, roads, library books, ICT infrastructure, electricity, and alternative energy. The newly established FUTA School of Professional Development has commenced operations, offering courses to enhance manpower development, while new academic programs, including the Open and Distance Learning program in Computer Science and additional short-term courses in the Centre for Continuing Education, have been introduced.
Underlining FUTA’s academic achievements, Professor Oladiji stated that the university has maintained its position as the country’s best University of Technology and best-specialized institution in recent rankings. The university secured the 3rd position in the Times Higher Education 2024 ranking and achieved a notable placement in the AD index Research impact ranking. She emphasized FUTA’s commitment to research-intensive practices with national relevance and a global outlook.
Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor announced that the university, through the Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), has attracted over One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) in national and international research grants between 2021 and 2023. Professor Shadrach Akindele’s recent appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Redeemers’ University Ede was cited as an example of FUTA’s contribution to providing skilled manpower for other institutions.
Addressing logistical aspects, Professor Eunice Adeparusi, Chairman of the Ceremonials Committee, assured that arrangements for a smooth event, including security and traffic control, have been meticulously put in place. She expressed confidence that the convocation ceremony would proceed seamlessly.
