The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), will graduate no fewer than 6,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students at its combined 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. The event, scheduled for November 29 and 30, 2024, will be presided over by the Chancellor, the Emir of Katagum, HRH Alhaji Umar Farouk II.
Briefing journalists on Friday, November 22, 2024, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced that 519 students earned first-class honors degrees. “This year’s convocation is unique, combining two academic sessions. We will celebrate three valedictorians as overall best students,” she said.
According to Professor Oladiji, Ifeoluwa Faith Faromika (Electrical and Electronics Engineering, EEE/17/3175) and Johnbull Anuoluwapo Vitowanu (Industrial and Production Engineering, IPE/17/3299) emerged as best graduating students for the 2022/2023 academic session with a CGPA of 4.96 each. Oluwasegun Joshua Ajakaye (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, MME/18/7019) was named the best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session with a CGPA of 4.95.
The Vice-Chancellor provided a breakdown of the degree classes, noting that 3,408 students earned second-class upper honors, 2,139 second-class lower, and 339 third-class degrees. Additionally, the university will confer 1,280 postgraduate diplomas, master’s, and doctorate degrees, comprising 344 PGDs, 756 master’s degrees, and 180 PhDs.
Highlighting the achievements of the academic session, Professor Oladiji revealed that FUTA students made history as the first and only African university team to rank among the top five in the global CanSat space competition organized by the American Astronautical Society. “The CanSat FUTA team represented Nigeria with distinction, enhancing FUTA’s reputation as a leading research-intensive institution,” she said.
She added that 18 academic programs recently received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC). “This result is a testament to FUTA’s academic excellence, as all 59 programs offered by the university have been accredited,” she stated.
The convocation lecture, titled “Technological Innovations: A Panacea for Food Insecurity,” will be delivered by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on November 29, 2024.
Professor Oladiji announced that three distinguished Nigerians would receive honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to society and FUTA: Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries; Mr. Joel Ogunsola, an international IT expert and FUTA alumnus; and Mr. Ayorinde Olurinde Ogunruku, a former registrar of Obafemi Awolowo University.
Additionally, three professors will be conferred with emeritus status: Professor Adebisi Balogun (Fish Nutrition and Agricultural Biochemistry), Professor Akin Laseinde (Animal Production and Health), and Professor Labunmi Lajide (Organic and Medical Chemistry).
Professor Eunice Adeparusi, Chairperson of the Ceremonials Committee, assured that all necessary arrangements, including security and traffic control, have been made to ensure a successful ceremony.
Professor Oladiji expressed optimism about FUTA’s future. “With a stable and supportive environment, we are committed to taking FUTA to even greater heights,” she concluded.
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