The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is a federal government 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 the South-East and South-South parts of Nigeria. The university is the oldest university of technology in Nigeria and was established in 1980 by executive fiat with the composition and appointment of the first provisional council by Nigeria's first Executive President, Shehu Shagari. It became the first of three such universities set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria which sought to establish a University of Technology in each geo-political region, particularly in a state which did not have a conventional university. FUTO began with 225 students and 60 staff (28 academic and 32 non-academic). 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

The university was founded in 1980. It later merged with Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, absorbing the latter's students. It 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 has been a partnering university to 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 currently admit 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

Institutes and Academic Support Centres

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 Mr Joseph Chike Anafulu. The library has three main blocks: Library Phases II & IV and the E-library.

List of programmes/ courses

School of Agriculture And Agricultural Technology (SAAT) School of Health Technology (SOHT) School of Basic Medical Science (SBMS) School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT) School of Biological Science (SOBS) School of Management Technology (SMAT) School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) School of Physical Science (SOPS) School of Electrical Systems Engineering Technology (SESET) School of Environmental Science (SOES) School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) Directorate of General Studies

Inaugural lectures

The following inaugural lectures have been presented in the university:

Vice-chancellors

Deputy Vice Chancellors from 1993

Nigerian universities ranking

The National University 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 4icu.org.ng.

Notable alumni