Seventy-six students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, have graduated with First Class honours, as the university commenced its convocation ceremonies in Owerri.

A total of 1,272 graduands earned Second Class Upper Division, 1,867 obtained Second Class Lower Division, while 151 graduated with Third Class honours.

The convocation began with a lecture to be delivered by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, at the university’s campus in Owerri, Imo State.

In her opening address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti, announced that the convocation would span three days, starting on Thursday, December 4. Activities will continue on Friday, December 5, with the postgraduate convocation, and conclude on Saturday, December 6, with the undergraduate convocation, during which degrees and awards will be conferred on graduates from various faculties.

Prof. Oti disclosed that the university is graduating a total of 3,366 students with first degrees and 542 graduands with higher degrees.

Providing a breakdown of the results, she said 76 students earned First Class honours, 1,272 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 1,867 obtained Second Class Lower Division, while 151 earned Third Class honours.

The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that FUTO was ranked 14th in Nigeria by Times Higher Education, a global university ranking agency. She also noted that the institution emerged third in the 2024 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) research grants cycle and placed second in the National Employability Index assessment of graduates.

She commended the efforts of her administration in advancing academic excellence and infrastructural development, highlighting the successful execution of the university’s Centres of Excellence, expansion of ICT facilities, and overall improvement in campus infrastructure.