The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has won the 2026 edition of the Young Ocean Scholars University Research Competition held in commemoration of World Hydrography Day under the aegis of the National Hydrographic Agency.
Team FUTA, consisting of three members—Dr. Ifechukwu Nzelibe, a lecturer, and two students, Adepoju Jethro and Aborisade Ayomiposi, all from the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, emerged as winners of the research competition organised by the National Hydrographic Agency at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The research was centred on the theme for the 2026 World Hydrography Day celebration, “Transforming How Ocean Data is Shared.”
In a letter notifying FUTA of its victory, UK Erege, a Lieutenant Commander in the Nigerian Navy who wrote on behalf of the Hydrographer of the Federation/CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency, said FUTA emerged as the first-place winner in the Young Ocean Scholars (YOS) University Research Hydrography Competition organised as part of activities marking the 2026 World Hydrography Day (WHD) celebration.
According to him, “Following a rigorous assessment process conducted by an independent panel of experts drawn from academia, industry, and the NHA, FUTA’s submission was adjudged the best entry in the university category of the competition. On behalf of the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydrographic Agency, I warmly congratulate your institution, the supervising lecturer, and the research students on this remarkable achievement.”
At the end of the adjudication, the judges declared FUTA’s entry the best among all the submissions, while teams from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Bayero University, Kano, came second and third, respectively, behind FUTA, which clinched first position. Twelve universities selected from the country’s six geopolitical zones took part in the competition.
For emerging as the best, FUTA was rewarded with a cash prize of N10 million and two laptop computers for this landmark achievement. The team was also encouraged to publish the findings of the research paper. Furthermore, to foster training in the area of hydrography, FUTA was encouraged to collaborate with the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA).
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, has congratulated members of the winning team for bringing honour to the university.
“I congratulate Dr. Ifechukwu U. Nzelibe, a lecturer, and two students, Adepoju Jethro I. and Aborisade Ayomiposi E., on this major achievement. They have written the name of our university in gold. They are worthy ambassadors of FUTA,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
The YOS Hydrography Competition was established to promote awareness and understanding of hydrography, ocean science, marine geospatial information, and the blue economy among young scholars while encouraging innovative thinking on contemporary ocean-related challenges.
