FUTES Sets 20-Publication Benchmark for Professors, Pegs 2026/2027 Admission Cut-Off at 200
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, Professor Gbenga Aribisala, has announced academic and admission standards for the institution, declaring that only candidates with a minimum score of 200 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will be considered for admission in the 2026/2027 academic session.
Professor Aribisala also revealed that prospective professors and readers seeking employment at the university must have authored at least 20 quality academic publications and meet national research standards, as part of efforts to build a world-class institution anchored on excellence and innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor made the disclosure while receiving members of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee, who paid him a courtesy visit at the FUTES campus in Iyin-Ekiti.
According to him, FUTES would not compromise on quality in its quest to produce graduates who are problem solvers and contributors to national development rather than mere white-collar job seekers.
“Any candidate who scores below 200 in JAMB will not be allowed to sit for our post-UTME, not to talk of gaining admission. We want the best of the best. Our graduates must be equipped to contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said.
Speaking on staffing, Professor Aribisala said academic excellence and research output would remain non-negotiable, stressing that universities cannot rank or compete globally without high-calibre scholars.
“Before you can lecture as a professor or reader in FUTES, you must have at least 20 quality publications that meet national standards. A university cannot rise above the quality of its academics. Even at inception, our cut-off marks were higher than those of many older universities, yet we were oversubscribed,” he added.
The Professor of Civil Engineering explained that his nearly two decades of experience as a university administrator and scholar had prepared him for the responsibility of building a globally competitive institution.
He disclosed that within less than nine months of establishment, FUTES had recorded significant research achievements, including winning multiple research concept notes and attracting top-ranking researchers in Nigeria and globally.
“It may surprise you that some of the academics employed by FUTES are among the leading researchers in Nigeria and the world. We already have scholars ranked among the top researchers nationally, and within weeks of commencing lectures, we have secured several research wins,” he said.
Professor Aribisala further noted that FUTES has attracted scholars from different parts of the world and remains open to partnerships with institutions and industry players that align with its vision in science, technology and innovation.
He appealed for support from stakeholders, noting that government alone cannot fund the lofty aspirations of a world-class university.
Reflecting on his academic journey, the Vice-Chancellor said his aspiration to lead a university was shaped during his tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, adding that his service at EKSU and the University of Benin had contributed significantly to his leadership philosophy.
“I have served under six Vice-Chancellors (substantive and acting) and the exposure has prepared me for this responsibility. Leadership, mentorship and institutional grooming have shaped my zero tolerance for mediocrity,” he stated.
While assuring the visiting delegation of FUTES’ openness to professional engagement and collaboration, Professor Aribisala commended the Chairperson of the EKSU PPP Committee, Mrs Foluso Olaniyan, for promoting meaningful collaboration between academia and industry.
Earlier, the EKSU PPP delegation, led by Mrs Olaniyan and represented by the Sub-Committee Chairman, Professor Isaac Ajayi, congratulated Professor Aribisala on his appointment, describing it as well-deserved.
They praised his academic contributions and leadership capacity, expressing confidence that his experience would further strengthen FUTES and advance excellence in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
