The Vice Chancellor of the newly established Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, has called for partnerships to advance technology and academic excellence.
Aribisala, who said the university was ready to partner with individuals, groups and organisations to achieve the needed development, said, “We have started laying the foundation for meaningful changes in technology, and we want people to support us to achieve the lofty dream”.
The VC, who spoke during a programme in Ado Ekiti on Monday, added, “Nigeria has the potential to be like other developed countries in terms of technology. We can also produce so many things that can enhance the quality of life without necessarily importing them. In fact, we can do it.”
He said FUTES was being designed in a manner “to produce graduates who are passionate about meaningful development and not about white collar jobs,” noting that the present world requires people who are technologically driven.
“Part of the measures to achieve these are some of the courses put in place, like Robotics, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering, Data Science, and Mechatronics, apart from other conventional courses.
“We are ready to create knowledge, give back to society, and make life meaningful through academic excellence, help our students see reason in academic excellence and place the country on a sound footing in terms of technology”.
Aribisala also renewed calls for individuals, groups, and organisations willing to build hostels, lecture halls, classrooms, and other essential infrastructure for the university, assuring that such contributions would be named after them or developed in partnership.
President Bola Tinubu on February 20, 2025, assented to two separate bills establishing FUTES, Iyin Ekiti, and the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State.
Tinubu, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that “the specialised institutions will address the educational needs of the populace while driving research and innovation and contributing to the country’s overall economic growth and development.
He said, “The institutions will serve as training grounds for developing agriculture, science and technology professionals and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.”
