FUTES-IYIN Delivers Stable Academic Calendar, Deploys Multi-Agency Security Network for Student Safety

By Olugbolade Ogboro-Cole

The Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti has successfully completed its first academic session with an uninterrupted academic calendar while simultaneously establishing a robust multi-agency security framework that has proven its effectiveness in curtailing cult-related activities on and around the campus.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Gbenga Aribisala disclosed this at a press conference held on Friday at the university’s conference hall, where he outlined the institution’s remarkable progress since its establishment in February 2025 and assured parents and guardians of their wards’ maximum safety.

The university, which commenced academic activities on January 5, 2025 with 1,564 students across 35 departments and four faculties, has demonstrated remarkable adherence to its academic timeline. Professor Aribisala noted that the first semester results were ready before the second semester commenced, while the second semester results will be approved at the September 2026 Senate meeting before the 2026/2027 session begins on October 12, 2026.

On the security front, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised that student safety remains a top priority, with the university forging strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, the Military, and the Department of State Services to create a formidable security network around the campus and its environs. These security agencies work in synergy to provide round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response capabilities, ensuring that students can focus on their academic pursuits without fear or anxiety.

Professor Aribisala particularly highlighted the effectiveness of this security synergy during the acclaimed 777 celebration day, an annual period associated with the initiation of new cult recruits across tertiary institutions nationwide. He explained that this period often results in untold stories of woe in many universities across the country, but at FUTES-IYIN, the combined efforts of the security operatives greatly curtailed such activities both on campus and in the surrounding community. The Vice-Chancellor used this instance to strongly assure parents and guardians of maximum safety for their wards, noting that the university will continue to maintain zero tolerance for cultism and all forms of criminality.

The university’s residential nature further strengthens the security architecture, allowing for better monitoring and control of movements within the campus. Available hostels at the take-off site and ongoing hostel construction at the permanent site ensure students live in a secure and conducive environment. Security personnel from these agencies have been deployed strategically across the university premises, with regular patrols and intelligence sharing mechanisms in place to preempt and neutralise potential threats.

Beyond security, Professor Aribisala emphasised the university’s deep commitment to extra-curricular activities, recognising that holistic student development extends beyond the classroom. He revealed that the permanent site features a massive stadium structure designed to meet the athletic tendencies of students, providing world-class facilities for sports and recreational activities. The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the university would soon begin winning laurels in the Nigeria Polytechnic and Universities Games competitions, as the institution continues to nurture talents in various sporting disciplines.

The university operates under the motto “Innovation for Sustainable Future,” anchored on core values of excellence, innovation, service, and integrity. Since its inception, FUTES-IYIN has recorded significant achievements in research, with a team led by Dr Solomon Popoola securing the NRF research grant. Senate Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has pledged ₦1 billion in research funding over the next five years, while the university has established multi-disciplinary research groups and is collaborating with Morgan State University in the United States.

The university has prioritised staff and student training, conducting orientation programmes, quality assurance training for academic staff, strategic grant writing workshops, and academic culture development sessions. Four academic staff members have been ranked among Nigeria’s top 500 researchers according to Scival on Scopus. Students have also excelled in competitions, with Okorafor Kelechi Divine, a 100-level Mathematics student, securing second place in the Data Analysis and Visualization category at the Maiden Health Trace Data Hackathon hosted by Federal University of Technology, Akure, while Ojo David, a 100-level Data Science student, claimed third place in the Predictive Modelling category with Team Tensor.

Professor Aribisala commended the Federal Government for the NELFUND initiative, noting that many students are already benefiting from the scheme which he described as one of the greatest developments in Nigerian university education.

The university has maintained staff welfare commitments, fully paying all arrears of CATA and CONTA to teaching and non-teaching staff through funds provided by the Federal Government, and remains up-to-date with new salary structures agreed between the government and various unions.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the Minister of Education, Premium Trust Bank Managing Director Pastor Dr Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, Ekiti State Governor Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Oba Adeniyi Adeola Ajakaye, and the good people of Iyin-Ekiti for their various contributions to the university’s development.

Professor Aribisala called on public-spirited individuals and organisations to support the university’s growth, particularly in providing additional learning and research facilities and security infrastructure, while welcoming interest in public-private partnerships. The university plans to commence programmes in Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing, and Medicine in the near future, while also introducing Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication Science, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Development of the permanent site is ongoing, with construction already in progress on several buildings.