By Popoola Yaqoub

Copyright independent

.….Says varsity will be fully residential

The Vice Chancellor of the newly established Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin Ekiti, Professor Gbenga Aribisala, has hinted that test recruitment of staff and students’ admission into the institution shall commence soon.

He therefore cautioned applicants against patronising fraudulent sites or agents, stressing that only credible scholars willing to impart knowledge would be employed.

Professor Aribisala gave this indication during a reception organized in his honour by the 1979 set of the Ifaki Grammar School Old Students Association (IGSOSA) in Ado-Ekiti.

Aribisala said the university’s model would prioritise both character and learning, with promise to lay a solid foundation for academic excellence.

He clarified that the university would be fully residential, in order to produce disciplined graduates and twenty-first-century leaders capable of solving Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, particularly unemployment.

According to him,75 per cent of academic positions in the first recruitment exercise would be reserved for experienced scholars, while the remaining 25 per cent would go to fresh graduates with proven competence.

“Our vision is clear: FUTES must stand out as the number one university in Africa. We are committed to building a problem-solving, human-centred institution, and we cannot afford to run a wishy-washy system. This is not about making money, but about making Nigeria great,” he said.

The VC added that recruitment adverts would be placed by October in national dailies, online platforms, radio, and on the official website: www.futes.edu.ng.

According to him, academic programmes will commence in four faculties: Engineering, Computer Science, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Environmental Sciences.

He disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had already conducted a resource verification exercise and expressed satisfaction with some of the facilities.

“We are only waiting for the NUC to formally communicate with us and JAMB. Admission of our first set of students is expected to begin by October 2025,” he noted.

Professor Aribisala also assured that FUTES would be run with openness and inclusiveness, promising to keep his doors open to students, staff and the public for constructive criticism.

While appreciating his former classmates for the honour, Professor Aribisala said he would continue to support the alumni body whenever necessary.

Earlier, the Coordinator of IGSOSA 1979 set, Mr Olajide Familoye, expressed pride that one of their own now leads a federal university, noting that his success is their collective success, while expressing the belief that he will succeed in laying a solid foundation that will place FUTES on the world map.

Other speakers, including one of the Principals and Old boy of Ifaki Grammar School, IGS, Pastor Dipo Adelugba, Dr Gbenga Olowolafe, and Mr Opeyemi Oni, described the VC as a man of excellence and integrity since his days at Ifaki Grammar School, urging him to protect his reputation and uphold the values of discipline and service for which he has long been known.

The FUTES Registrar, Mr Oluwole Dada, appreciated the Ifaki Grammar School Old Students Association for their passion to celebrate excellence and promised that the university is ready to meet the yearnings of the people in terms of academic excellence.

The Olufaki of Ifaki Ekiti, Oba Falore, FUTES Librarian, Professor Issac Busayo, Professor Olumide Ogundipe, Professor Olatunji Folorunso, the Proprietor, PETOA International School, Pastor Peter Ajayi, Wife of the Celebrant, Mrs Evenly Aribisala, and people from all walks of life were present at the occasion.