The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, FAS, has undertaken a three-day working visit to the Ocean University of China (OUC), where she led a delegation to strengthen academic collaboration and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between both institutions.
The visit, which took place from November 19 to 21, 2025, began with a warm reception at the Laoshan Campus by the President of OUC, Professor Zhang Junfeng, and the Vice President for International Cooperation, Professor Liu Yong.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Zhang described the Ocean University of China as a leading global institution in marine science and reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation.
He highlighted the longstanding partnership between OUC and FUTA, which has resulted in significant achievements in marine geoscience research, particularly concerning river deltas. He noted that both universities jointly applied for and secured approval for the National Key Research and Development Program’s intergovernmental international innovation cooperation project, which led to the establishment of the China–Nigeria River Delta Joint Laboratory.
According to him, this development provides a strong foundation for expanding scientific exchange, enhancing talent training, and strengthening Sino-Nigerian friendship under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Responding, Professor Oladiji described FUTA as Nigeria’s leading technology university, established in 1981 with 11 schools and 62 accredited programmes. She emphasized FUTA’s strong international outlook and the university’s productive collaborations with institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, and China. She stated that Nigerian institutions greatly value partnerships with Chinese universities and noted that the ongoing relationship between FUTA and OUC has already produced meaningful results through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and technical training.
Professor Oladiji expressed optimism that her visit and the formal signing of the MOU would deepen institutional ties, broaden cooperation, and yield more impactful academic and research outputs.
During the bilateral meeting, Professor Liu Yong and Professor Oladiji signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of their institutions and jointly unveiled the China–Nigeria River Delta Joint Laboratory.
Professor Liu described the joint research laboratory, the ongoing three-month faculty exchange, and the specialized training programmes for graduate students as highly productive and impactful. He expressed hope that FUTA and OUC would expand their collaboration to more fields of research and academic development.
Professor Oladiji also visited the College of Marine Geoscience at OUC, where she met with the Vice President of Scientific Research and Dean of the College, Professor Houjie Wang, as well as the Vice Dean and Lead Investigator of the joint laboratory, Professor Lulu Qiao. She was accompanied on the visit by Dr. Olusegun Adekoyejo Dada, the Acting Head of FUTA’s Department of Marine Science and Technology (MST) and the Nigerian Project Leader of the China–Nigeria Joint Laboratory, along with other staff currently participating in the three-month exchange programme: Dr. A.F. Folorunso, Dr. A.A. Osinowo, Dr. R.B. Adesina, Mr. A.O. Agbaje, and Mrs. M.T. Ogunsuyi. Graduate students of MST-FUTA undergoing training at OUC also had the opportunity to interact with the Vice Chancellor before her departure.
Under the newly signed agreement, FUTA and OUC committed to expanding cooperation through the establishment and operation of the China–Nigeria Joint Laboratory on the River Delta, joint research, faculty and researcher exchanges, graduate-level training, sharing of academic resources, and the organisation of conferences and educational programmes beneficial to both institutions.
The Department of Marine Science and Technology will represent FUTA in implementing the commitments outlined in the MOU, marking another significant milestone in FUTA’s growing global partnerships and contributions to marine research.
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