The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, has unveiled an ambitious but deliberate vision to transform the institution into one of the world’s leading universities within the next decade.
Prof. Aribisala made this known on Friday during a media parley with journalists in Iyin-Ekiti, where he outlined the philosophy, structures, and foundational steps already being put in place to position the university for global relevance by 2036.
According to the VC, FUTES occupies a unique academic space, noting that he is unaware of any tertiary institution in Nigeria that combines technology and environmental sciences in such a focused and integrated manner.
“I am not sure there is any tertiary institution in Nigeria that deliberately combines these two critical components, technology and environmental sciences the way FUTES does. This alone speaks to the exceptional nature and relevance of the university,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the siting of two federal universities in Ekiti State, Professor Aribisala urged stakeholders to look beyond geography and instead focus on institutional values, vision, and purpose.
“People should look beyond location. What truly matters are the inherent values, the academic philosophy, and what the institution is being built to represent. FUTES is not competing for space; it is carving a global niche,” he stated.
The VC emphasized that FUTES is committed to engaging the best academic hands as much as possible, stressing that the university’s recruitment process reflects its global outlook and readiness to compete internationally.
“Some of our lecturers are not even Nigerians. We have academics from South Africa and other countries. That is a clear signal of our readiness to operate at a global standard from inception,” he noted.
Describing FUTES as a new-generation university, Prof. Aribisala said the institution is intentionally instilling discipline, structure, and excellence without compromise, starting from leadership by example.
“I personally took the very first lecture with our pioneer students, and it was held early in the morning around 7 a.m. That was deliberate. It sends a clear signal to both students and staff that discipline, punctuality, and commitment are non-negotiable here,” he said.
He further disclosed that the university has recruited the caliber of staff required for its current phase, stressing that quality, not volume, remains the guiding principle.
“We have recruited the staff we need more than now. Our focus is to build properly and sustainably rather than rush growth without structure,” he explained.
On infrastructure, Aribisala revealed that FUTES is working towards relocating fully to its permanent site by the next academic session, noting that the current temporary site will no longer be sufficient to accommodate the university’s growth trajectory.
“By the next academic session, this temporary site will not be able to contain us. We are working hard to ensure that FUTES takes off fully at its permanent site,” he said.
The VC added that as a university of technology and environmental sciences, laboratories and research facilities remain top priorities in the institution’s infrastructural development plan.
“Laboratories are not optional for us; they are central. We are deliberately getting our infrastructure priorities right to support serious research and innovation,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the Vice-Chancellor expressed strong confidence in the future of the institution, noting that while he may not still be in office in the next ten years, the foundation being laid now will define FUTES’ global standing.
“In the next ten years, FUTES should rank among the best universities globally. I may not be on this seat by then, but the groundwork we are laying today will speak for itself,” he concluded.
