President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening universities of technology across the country, describing science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He made the remarks on Saturday at the 38th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where he was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie (SAN).

Tinubu congratulated graduating students and commended FUTO for maintaining academic excellence and contributing meaningfully to national development in science and technology.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, has continued investments in infrastructure, research, and technical education, noting that FUTO is among the beneficiaries of the ₦48 billion TETFund Special High-Impact Intervention Projects for federal universities.

The President urged universities of technology to remain focused on their mandate of producing skilled manpower capable of driving industrialisation and innovation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, clean energy, and quantum computing.

He further assured that the government remains committed to protecting FUTO’s land from encroachment and encouraged stronger governance, talent attraction, and innovation-driven education across tertiary institutions.

Tinubu also praised the institution’s graduates for their contributions to sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and information technology.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 13th Governing Council, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, described FUTO as a leading centre for science and technology education, noting its reputation for producing job creators rather than job seekers.

He highlighted key achievements under the administration of Vice-Chancellor Professor Nnenna Oti, including a stable academic calendar, new academic programmes, improved staff welfare, upgraded infrastructure, and the commencement of a 1,200-bed hostel project through a Public-Private Partnership.

Senator Tilley-Gyado also commended President Tinubu, Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, and the university management for their support.

In her address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nnenna Oti described the convocation as her final outing in office, reflecting on achievements recorded during her five-year tenure.

She said her administration cleared a two-year academic backlog, enabling students to graduate on schedule, and noted that the university’s ranking improved significantly from 34th to 11th position nationally.

She also revealed that FUTO graduates ranked second in the National Employability Index, while the institution secured 11 TETFund National Research Fund grants worth over ₦256 million in 2024 and introduced 17 new academic programmes.

Professor Oti added that the university expanded its admission quota from over 5,000 to more than 9,000 students and achieved international accreditation for selected postgraduate programmes.

Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, who represented Governor Alex Otti, congratulated the graduating students and praised the university’s leadership for its achievements.

The valedictorian, Mr. Onyeka Chinecherem, thanked the institution and his family for their support, promising that graduates would uphold the values of FUTO.

The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Barrister Catherine Uju Ifejika, and Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata for their contributions to education and national development.