By our Reporter
Professor Adenike Oladiji,
Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, has admonished new graduates of the institution to take advantage of opportunities and allow challenges to bring out their innovation and creativity. She gave the admonition at the 36th convocation ceremony on Friday, November 14, where over 2,700 students found worthy in character and learning were conferred with first degrees.
She urged the new graduates to remain steadfast and allow challenges to inspire innovation and hard work. “Paradoxically, your battles to become somebody in life has just begun. Not even a first-class graduate can take anything for granted in the 21st century, Nigeria. In a way, that may sound very painful, but in another way, our current rough patch may be just the fillip that we need to bring the best out of us. As the saying goes, Necessity is the mother of inventions. Let the hard times bring out the most creative and innovative person in you. A sage once said, “Hard times create strong people, but good times create parasites,” the Vice Chancellor said.
Professor Oladiji encouraged the graduands to uphold the core values of FUTA, maintain good conduct, and remain worthy in character and learning, warning that misrepresentation of the ideals of the institution or bringing its name into disrepute could lead to withdrawal of certificates.
She acknowledged that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, “has been rolling out reforms that are capable of transforming our nation from the monolithic, oil-dependent economy to a diversified one that would be a major player in the global economy. Expectedly, laying the foundation for a prosperous future is coming with characteristic pain, but we are all familiar with the axiom, “No pain no gain.” With commitment, diligence, and perseverance, we would turn the corner and move in the direction of the Nigeria of our dream.”
Oladiji congratulated the 2,747 graduates from across ten schools, comprising 240 First Class, 1,479 Second Class (Upper Division), 912 Second Class (Lower Division), and 116 Third Class degrees, on their academic achievements and commended their resilience in completing their programmes despite the challenges posed by the nation’s economic climate.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the university’s steady growth in academics, research, and alumni engagement, both within and outside Nigeria as success indicators for FUTA and its products. She further outlined FUTA’s plans to introduce new schools and departments to expand educational opportunities.
Earlier the convocation Lecturer Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria urged the Graduands o to take charge of their destinies and bridge Nigeria’s persistent skills gap. Kayode while speaking on “Strategies and Tactics for Solving Skills Challenge in Nigeria: The Roles of Government, Institutions, and the Youth”, challenged the graduating students to acquire critical skills that would position them as job creators rather than mere job seekers
At the occasion Pro-Chancellor, Senator (Prof.) Ladi Daduut, who was invited to address Convocation by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr Charles Adeleye , commended the Federal University of Technology, Akure for demonstrating remarkable resilience and steady progress throughout the 2024/2025 academic session, despite facing funding constraints and broader economic challenges in the country. She lauded the Governing Council for its unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the university, particularly in fostering and maintaining a strong, cordial relationship with the host community of Akure, a partnership that culminated in birthing of the FUTA Teaching Hospital development she described as transformative for the institution.
Highlighting the tangible impact of national initiatives on students’ welfare, Senator Daduut pointed to the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that at least 3,000 FUTA students have benefited from the scheme, thereby enhancing access to higher education and empowering students to pursue their academic goals without undue financial burden.
In his valedictory address Akindunbi Aduragbemi Isaac who graduated as best student of the 2024/2025 academic session with a CGPA of 4.98 from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department reminded fellow graduands of the importance of perseverance, integrity, and creativity.
Akindunbi, whose CGPA of 4.98/5.0 is the best ever in the history of FUTA, encouraged fellow graduands to embrace the values of the university—integrity, creativity, accountability, rational thinking, and commitment to excellence—as they stepped into the professional world, urging them to identify purpose early, build systems that work for them, and proactively seize opportunities to make meaningful impact in society.
