FPI Upgrade: Rector Akinde lauds Tinubu, Adeola, Oba Olugbenle

The Management of the newly assented Federal University of Technology, Ilaro(FUTI), under the leadership of Dr.Mukail Aremu Akinde FCA, FCTI has profoundly lauded His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his Renewed Hope Agenda through which education is prioritized as a key factor in driving development of the country.

Dr. Akinde said the President’s approval of a new brand University of Technology will go a long way in boosting innovation and the development of Yewaland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general in relation to the economy and human capacity development.

The Rector also added that the new development has brought immeasurable joy onto the faces of the critical stakeholders, the Host and Institution’s community as well as the students, Alumni, staff, both teaching and non-teaching.

The Rector disclosed this during an impromptu media briefing in his office on Thursday, 21st May, 2025 following a sumptuous announcement made by the Senate President Godwin Akpabio on Wednesday, 20th May, 2025 that the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI) Bill has been assented to by the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and now upgraded to Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI).

“On behalf of the Governing Council, the Management, students, staff and Alumni, I respectfully, humbly and lavishly thanked our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, our most Distinguished Senator and Chairman Appropriations Committee of the Senate, (Aremo) Dr. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) FCA FCTI FPPI CON and our revered Paramount ruler of Yewaland, the Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, HRM Oba Dr. (ESV) Kehinde Olugbenle for the individual roles played in the upgrade of FUTI.

“The Aremo of Yewa Land and the Chairman of Appropriations Committee of the Senate has been a phenomenal diplomat and has indeed contributed significantly to the development of the Polytechnic.

“President Tinubu’s policy, especially in education sector has really proven his readiness and support for the education sector. Look at the 2025 budget for Education sector, in fact, it’s one of the best we have ever seen in years.

“For example, the FPI capital envelopes rose by more than 90% this year”. This is remarkably exceptional”.

Dr. Akinde noted that while Nigerians are eager to see the FUTI issuing B.Tech certificates, the reality is that it is logical that the present students will have to finish their courses based on the qualifications they applied for.

“The students have been asking questions on whether they can have their B. Tech Certificates. My swift reply to them was that we advertised for ND and HND certification, even though the Bill has been signed into law, it is understandable that the students must finish the courses they started.

“Also, from what’s obtainable at other Institutions that have gone through this type of upgrade, the students completed the courses they were admitted.

“After the completion of their courses, they may choose to do conversion to have B.Tech degree here at FUTI.

“Let me assure the parents of our 21,112 students that their wards are in safe hands. They will graduate in record time.

“I want to say that the assent given by President Tinubu was historic and it is a momentous occasion to redirect the success story of the Institution established in 1979.

”Understandably, the Act of the National Assembly will be gazetted and extant processes on the matter will be followed.

“The Management is committed to religiously followed the extant processes of the Federal Government on the establishment of FUTI.

“Let’s not be in haste, let’s await the processes and complete it.

“We are confident that FUTI will continue on the path of FPI’s academic excellence considering the level of infrastructure, sited on about 898 hectares of land, experienced and seasoned teaching staff among which are about 80 Ph.D holders and dedicated non-teaching staff all poised for the upgrade.

“Let me also say without mincing words that our Aremo of Yewa is an uncommon representative. I have never seen any representative of his kind in Ogun West in recent times at the upper chamber. He is simply the best and God bequeathed asset to the people of Ogun West.

“Once again, on behalf of the Council and the management, I say special thank you to our dear President Bola Tinubu GCFR, Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola YAYI and the Paramount ruler of Yewaland, HRM Oba Dr. Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Asade Agunloye IV for the remarkable milestone”, Dr Akinde concluded.