Federal University of Technology Akure

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) was founded in 1981 under a drive by the then government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of the latest technologies in common use around the world.

Other Universities of Technology established around the same time were The Federal University of Technology Owerri, The Federal University of Technology Minna, The Federal University of Technology Yola, and The Federal University of Technology Bauchi (now "The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University").

The first students were admitted in 1982 to a five-year degree program.

Currently the university has five faculties: the School of Science (SOS), School of Earth and Mineral Sciences (SMES), School of Environmental Technology (SET), School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), School of Agricultural and Agricultural Technology (SAAT). The school also runs pre-degree science programs and university diploma programs.

The current Vice Chancellor is Prof. Adebisi Balogun and the University Registrar is Dr. (Mrs) 'Funke Oyebade.

History

Educational Technology Center

In 1980, one of the policy thrusts in education of the then civilian government headed by Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shagari was the creation of new universities of technology. The purpose, as announced by government, was in line with the national policy on education, with respect to technical and scientific training; namely, to develop, at every stage of the educational system, a scientific and technological attitude in preparation for the nation's technological take-off. Thus, the States of the Federation: Bauchi, Benue, Gongola, Imo, Niger, Ogun and Ondo that had no federal universities became the immediate beneficiaries of this new initiative. In the same year three such institutions were named for Bauchi, Benue and Imo. The other four were to commence in 1981. The Federal University of Technology, Akure, thus came into being in 1981. By August of that year, Government appointed the pioneer Chancellor, HRH Alhaji Zulkarnaini Gambari Mohammed, Emir of lIorin. Also, at that time, a thirteen-member Governing Council was announced, although, the chairman of that Council was not named until October of that year. Late High Chief (Dr) Gabriel Akin-Deko was at that time appointed the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

Later in the year, on November 19th, 1981 late Professor Theodore Idibiye Francis was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the new university. Professor Francis had been a renowned professor of medicine at the University of Ibadan medical school (University College Hospital) and later moved to the newly established Institute of Health Sciences of the University of Port Harcourt as foundation Provost. It was from Port Harcourt, therefore, that Professor Francis moved to Akure on January 1st 1982 to begin the pioneering work of getting the university on a footing. One of the first things he did on assumption of duties was to recruit senior staff with whom to begin the various vistas of the foundation work. Thus, after some consultations, the Vice-Chancellor appointed Mr. Ayorinde O. Ogunruku, the very first senior staff member of the new university (other than his personal driver, Mr. Etim Udoh) as the first Administrative Officer, on January 12th, 1982.

Early Problems

When the announcement to establish a university in Ondo State was made, it was not immediately clear where it was going to be sited. When eventually Akure, the State Capital, was chosen and the site housing the Federal Polytechnic was decided, it was clear that the new university might encounter some difficulties in getting started. The Polytechnic had built and inhabited the site since 1977 when it had been forced by the Federal Government to move to Akure from its original location in Jos, Plateau State capital, where it was first established. Thus, when the announcement was made locating the university in Akure, the Polytechnic authorities were understandably uneasy. When eventually a letter dated 18th December, 1981 conveyed the information to the Rector that the new university would take over the Polytechnic site and his institution was to move, albeit in phases, once again, to a new location in Ado-Ekiti, the undercurrents of agitation excited by the earlier announcement of the establishment of the university boiled over.

It was not surprising, therefore, that when the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor arrived in Akure on 1st January, 1982 he was given only a room in the Establishment wing of the Polytechnic as his office. From there, the pioneering planning work of the new university commenced. But with the arrival of more staff members, and increased activities and the reluctance of the Polytechnic authorities to release any more space, negotiations on effecting a smooth transfer of physical facilities from the Polytechnic to the University commenced in February between the two heads of the two institutions. The expected difficulties attending these negotiations compelled the then Minister of Education to inaugurate a meeting of the joint Councils of the two institutions on 27 April, 1982. In the meantime, however, on account of increased activities and the need to get the many organs of the university system in place before students could resume, the Vice-Chancellor rented a three-storey building located at No. 98, Oyemekun Road in Akure from where all administrative activities were to continue.

The joint Councils negotiation meetings had continued, and with the intervention of the Minister of Education, eventually, some six (6) buildings meant for academic activities were released to the university by 25th August, 1982. In addition, thirteen (13) duplex bungalows, twenty (20) 3 - bedroom and fifteen (I5) 4-bedroom bungalows and one (1) 4-bedroom storey buildings, all of which were all completed were also released.

The Building Phase

While negotiations continued with the Polytechnic, the university had set some targets, which had to be met. Academic activities had been scheduled to commence in November 1982, yet much was lacking in terms of facilities. Thus, the university rented three blocks of flats at Oba-lIe to provide residence for the pioneer students' intake and commenced construction of a student cafeteria, a storey building for staff offices, and laboratories and a block of lecture rooms for the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. The latter was later turned to the Staff Primary School. At the same time, modification works on structures released by the Polytechnic commenced.

For the academic activities scheduled for November, the Vice-Chancellor constituted some "Academic Planning Task Forces" to prepare the academic briefs of the three (3) foundation Schools that were then established, viz: School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, School of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and School of Pure and Applied Sciences. To continue the work and implementation of the briefs, the official organs of the University were, one after the other, being established. By July 1982, Council had appointed other Principal Officers of the university and most of these officers assumed duties the following month, August. With the initial core of academics and Principal Officers in place, Senate, the organ charged with responsibility for academic matters, was then constituted and the body held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 27th October, 1982. at the designated Council/Senate Chamber of the University's Temporary Administrative Office at 98, Oyemekun Road. The day/date of this inaugural meeting has been the basis for the continuing tradition of statutory Senate meetings on the last Wednesday of the month. That first Senate was constituted by the following: Professor T. I. Francis (Vice-Chancellor & Chairman), Professor D. A. Okorie (Head, Department of Chemistry), Professor L. K. Opeke (Ag. Dean, School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology) Mr. F. A. Akinyotu (University Librarian), Late Professor M. O. Olofinboba (Dean, School of Pure & Applied Sciences) was absent while Dr. J. A. Osanyinbi (Academic Registrar) was the secretary. The inaugural meeting of Senate considered the state of facilities in readiness for admission of students for academic activities; the draft University Act; Senate Standing Orders, among other issues. Before this event, however, recruitment of academic and other staff was well on course, and by September, some of the appointed staff had assumed duties.

On Monday, 22 November 1982, FUTA (the acronym by which the university had become known) welcomed its first set of students onto the campus site being shared still with the Polytechnic. Arrangements had been made for their accommodation in a rented block of apartments at Oba-lIe, a satellite town some fifteen kilometers from the university campus. Classroom and laboratory blocks had been prepared; the academic staff that had reported were already sharing a room, "staff room", of the administrative offices of the newly completed wing of the Staff Primary School, while reconstruction and finishing works were. going on to get other facilities in place for full activities on the campus Full academic activities commenced on 29 November 1982, after a week of orientation for the students. On Saturday 22 January 1983, the university held its first Matriculation for a total of one hundred and forty-nine (149) students.

At its second meeting on 24th November 1983, Senate elected the first set of four persons to represent it on the university's Governing Council. The four were: Professors M. O. Olofinboba, L. K. Opeke, D. A. Okorie and Mr. F. A. Akinyotu. This first set was given a one-year term beginning from 10th January 1983. By its eighth meeting on 26th October 1983, Senate also received the first set of the University's Congregation representatives on that body. The two were Engr.(Dr)S. O. Falaki and Dr.(Mrs.) A. P. O. Dede.

Academics

School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology

Agricultural Economics and Extension

Animal Production and Health

Crop, Soil and Pest Management

Food Science and Technology

Fisheries and Wildlife

Forestry and Wood Technology

School of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Department of Agricultural Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering

School of Environmental Technology

Department of Architecture

Department of Estate Management

Department of Quantity Surveying

Department Industrial Design

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

School of Science

Department of Microbiology

Department of Biology

Department of Chemistry

Department of Biochemistry

Department of Physics

Department of Industrial Mathematics

Department of Computer Science

General Studies Unit

Department of Mining Engineering

School of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Department of Applied Geology

Department of Applied Geophysics

Department of Meteorology

School of Postgraduate Studies

Contact

Federal University of Technology,

P.M.B. 704, Akure

Ondo State,

Nigeria.

Cable and Telegrams: FEDUNITECH, AKURE

Telephone: [phone]

Telex: 32512 FUTATEL

Thuraya Phones: (+) or (009) 8821646689549 or (009) 8821646682877

Fax: (+) or (009)8821646682876