The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) will hold its 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, graduating no fewer than 6,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The ceremonies, scheduled for Friday, November 29, and Saturday, November 30, 2024, will be presided over by the Chancellor and Emir of Katagum, Umar Farouk II.
A total of 519 students will graduate with first-class honors, according to Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji, who briefed journalists on Friday, November 22, 2024.
The convocation will feature three valedictorians, with FAROMIKA Ifeoluwa Faith (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) and VITOWANU Johnbull Anuoluwapo (Industrial and Production Engineering) sharing the distinction for the 2022/2023 session, each achieving a CGPA of 4.96. For the 2023/2024 session, AJAKAYE Oluwasegun Joshua (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) emerged as the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.95.
Breakdown of degrees and accolades
Professor Oladiji revealed the classification of undergraduate degrees as follows:
- First-Class: 519
- Second-Class Upper: 3,408
- Second-Class Lower: 2,139
- Third-Class: 339
Additionally, 1,280 postgraduate degrees will be awarded, including 344 Postgraduate Diplomas, 756 Master’s Degrees, and 180 Doctorates.
The convocation lecture, titled “Technological Innovations: A Panacea for Food Insecurity,” will be delivered by Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, on Friday, November 29.
Honorary doctorates and professor Emeriti
FUTA will confer honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians:
- Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya – General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (Doctor of Management Science, Honoris Causa).
- Mr. Joel Ogunsola – International IT Expert and FUTA Alumnus (Doctor of Information and Communication Technology, Honoris Causa).
- Mr. Ayorinde Olurinde Ogunruku – Former Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University (Doctor of Management Science, Honoris Causa).
Three professors will also be recognized as Professor Emeriti for their exceptional contributions:
- Professor Adebisi Balogun – Fish Nutrition and Agricultural Biochemistry.
- Professor (Venerable) Akin Laseinde – Animal Production and Health.
- Professor Labunmi Lajide – Organic and Medical Chemistry.
Academic and institutional achievements
Professor Oladiji highlighted FUTA’s recent achievements:
- A team of FUTA students, the CanSat FUTA Team, ranked among the top five globally in an international space competition organized by the American Astronautical Society, making them the only African university to participate.
- Several faculty members and alumni earned recognition in the Top 2% of scientists globally.
- Full accreditation for 18 programs following an assessment by the National Universities Commission (NUC), ensuring all 59 programs at FUTA are accredited.
FUTA’s vision for excellence
Professor Oladiji reaffirmed FUTA’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community service, emphasizing the university’s status as Nigeria’s leading University of Technology. “With a stable and harmonious environment, we are poised to take FUTA to greater heights,” she stated.
Seamless preparations
Chairperson of the Ceremonials Committee, Professor Eunice Adeparusi, assured the public of adequate security and logistics arrangements to ensure a successful event. Measures include traffic control and the safety of lives and property, with an expectation of a hitch-free ceremony.
The convocation week, which begins on November 22, 2024, promises to celebrate FUTA’s legacy of academic excellence and societal impact.
