The new Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, will admit its first set of undergraduate students in September 2025.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in a State House statement announcing the appointment of members of the Governing Council and principal officers for the new institution by President Bola Tinubu.
The Iyin-Ekiti-based federal university received presidential assent on February 20, 2025. The bill for its establishment was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during the 9th Assembly. Bamidele hails from Iyin Ekiti.
New federal universities established by the government usually receive a take-off grant from the federal government.
Appointment of Pioneer VC
Ahead of the university’s takeoff, Tinubu also approved the appointment of the first Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers for the institution. They are:
- Vice-Chancellor: Prof. James Olugbenga Aribisala
- Registrar: Mr. Oluwole Olalere Dada
- Bursar: Mrs. Adeniyi Rachael Ajayi
- Librarian: Prof. Isaac Oluwadare Busayo
Additionally, members of the Governing Council will be led by Senator Binta Masi Garba, while Prof. Joseph Olurotimi Sanya, Mr. Efe Emefienin Emmanuel, Dr. Joyce Ogunyemi, and Alhaji Dahiru Abdullahi Ruma will serve as council members.
The president, who commended the Senate Leader for advocating the establishment of the new university, urged the appointees to bring their extensive academic leadership experience and commitment “to steer the university toward academic excellence, innovative research, and development.”
Proliferation of Federal Universities
In recent times, the federal government has embarked on the establishment of new higher institutions across the country, many of which are perceived as politically motivated.
Recall that Tinubu, on February 20, 2025, also approved the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, in his ancestral hometown in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.
Recently, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, revealed that 200 bills were before the National Assembly for the establishment of new federal universities in Nigeria. He urged lawmakers and stakeholders to prioritize the sustainability of existing ones.
Government-owned institutions in Nigeria are a shadow of their former selves, with the government failing to honour labour agreements with academic and non-academic staff members.
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