Federal University of Technology Owerri

The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is a federal university in Owerri West, Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria. The university is bounded by the communities of Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Obinze, Okolochi and Emeabiam. It is the premier federal university of technology in Nigeria. The university was established in 1980 by Nigeria's first executive president, Shehu Shagari to ensure Nigeria's technological development.

FUTO was established by executive fiat with the composition and appointment of the first provisional council. At the time, the Federal Government of Nigeria sought to establish a university of technology in each geo-political region, particularly in states which did not have a conventional university. FUTO is the first of three such technical universities in Nigeria.

FUTO is an undergraduate and postgraduate institution which enrolled over 8000 students as of February 2026. It offers undergraduate degrees across 58 programs. The school campus is located 25km(15.6 miles) south of Owerri and has a land mass of over 10,000 acres(4,048 ha) making it one of the top 10 largest institutions by landmass in Nigeria.

Like other federal universities in Nigeria, FUTO is headed by a Chancellor who is usually a royal father and followed by a Vice-Chancellor who oversees the daily activities of the university.

The University Senate is the highest decision-making arm of the university. FUTO students are fondly called Futoites and currently there are over 25,000 students. FUTO has over 50 professors. The current vice-chancellor is Professor Nnenna Nnannaya Oti.

History

FUTO began with 225 students and 60 staff (28 academic and 32 non-academic).

The university was founded in 1980. It later merged with Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, absorbing the latter's students.

FUTO is one of the premier technological universities in western Africa. Its student body comprises people from all over west Africa and beyond. It is the only federal university of technology in the south-east of Nigeria, and one of the oldest in West Africa.

FUTO is a partnering institution of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB). JUPEB offers A/Level programs to students seeking admission into the Federal University of Technology, Owerri via Direct Entry (DE). FUTO admits students into the JUPEB program yearly. On 13 April 2021, Prof Nnenna Oti was elected vice-chancellor to replace Francis Chukwuemeka Eze, whose tenure expired on 19 June 2021.

Schools

• School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
• School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET)
• School of Electrical Systems and Engineering Technology (SESET)
• School of Physical Sciences (SOPS)
• School of Biological Sciences (SOBS)
• School of Logistics and Innovation Technology (SLIT)
• School of Health Technology (SOHT)
• School of Environmental Sciences (SOES)
• School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS)
• School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT)
• College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)

Institutes and Academic Support Centres

• Centre for Agricultural Research (CAR)
• Centre for Continuing Education (CCE)
• Centre for Entrepreneurial and Vocational Studies
• Centre for Industrial Studies (CIS)
• Centre for Energy and Power Systems Research (CEPSR)
• Centre for Research and International Development (CRID)
• Centre for Women, Gender and Development Studies
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre
• Institute of Erosion Studies (IES)
• University Computer Centre (UCC)
• Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)
• Institute of Environmental Health and Environmental Justice (IEHEJ)

University Library

The University Library serves as the pivot of academic pursuit. It was opened to students at the Lake Nwaebere campus on 9 November 1981. The pioneer librarian was Joseph Chike Anafulu. The library has three main blocks: Library Phases II & IV and the E-library.

Teaching hospital

In 2023, the Federal Medical Centre Owerri was officially upgraded and renamed the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO) to serve as the primary teaching hospital for FUTO's College of Medicine. The upgrade was part of a federal initiative to expand access to medical education and improve healthcare services in southeastern Nigeria.

List of programmes/courses

• School of Agriculture And Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
• Agricultural Economics
• Agricultural Extension
• Animal Science and Technology
• Crop Science and Technology
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology
• Forestry and Wildlife Technology
• Soil Science and Technology
• School of Health Technology (SOHT)
• Dental Technology
• Environmental Health Science
• Optometry
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Public Health Technology
• School of Basic Medical Science (SBMS)

Inaugural lectures

The following inaugural lectures have been presented in the university:

Vice-chancellors

• Prof. U.D. Gomwalk (1980–1986)
• Prof. Amah Nduka (1986–1991)
• Prof.C. O.G. Oba (1992–1999)
• Prof. Jude Njoku (2000–2005)
• Prof. C.E.O. Onwuliri (2006–2011)
• Prof. Chigozie C. Asiabaka (2011–2016)
• Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze (2016–2021)
• Prof. Nnenna Oti (2021–2026)
• Prof. I.N.S Dozie (2026 - Present)

Partnership

In June 2025, the Federal University of Technology Owerri received a donation of digital switches and access points from Interswitch and Cisco. This was part of a joint initiative by the companies to boost digital infrastructure across five Nigerian tertiary institutions, aimed at enhancing the university's network and IT programs.

Nigerian universities ranking

The National Universities Commission (NUC), the body responsible for universities in Nigeria, has not done an official ranking of Nigerian universities in over 14 years.

However, FUTO is currently ranked the 24th best university in Nigeria, according to unirank.org.

Notable alumni

• Smart Adeyemi – politician
• Ndubuisi Ekekwe – professor
• Paul Obiefule – football player
• Nnenna Oti – vice-chancellor of FUTO

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)