History is made as first female Vice Chancellor takes office in FUTO

History was made today in FUTO as Prof. Nnenna Nnannaya Oti resumed office as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

She took over from the now-out-gone 7th substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Eze whose tenure has now expired. 

Prior to her selection and subsequent appointment last April by the 11th Governing Council of the University led by Prof. John Offem, Prof. Oti was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University (also the first woman in FUTO's history to have held that position as well). 

Prof. Oti's selection was announced on April 13th, 2021 by the Council, after a selection process in which she and six other outstanding professors were interviewed for the top position. 

The event was preceded by the commissioning of various on-campus projects and facilities completed by the Prof. Francis Eze administration, including hostel buildings, and laboratory complexes for science and materials research.

The official handover ceremony was witnessed by serving principal officers, deans, and directors of the University.

FUTO is the only federal university of technology located east of the Niger, comprising the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Over the past few years, especially under the leadership of the immediate past VC, Prof. Francis Eze, the University has expanded its course offerings by opening up new faculties for physical sciences, information and communication technology, electrical systems engineering technology, as well as the new FUTO College of Medicine (which is currently taking in the first batch of medical students). 

You can visit the official FUTO website for more information on courses and programs. 

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a civil/structural engineer based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com