MEE
MEE is a foundational course offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). It is mandatory for every student admitted into the institution, regardless of their department.
This course builds upon concepts from technical drawing taught in secondary school, presenting them in a more advanced and engineering-focused context. MEE plays a critical role in equipping students with essential skills fundamental to design, engineering, and technology-related fields. It serves as a cornerstone for understanding and communicating complex ideas visually and accurately, making it indispensable for students pursuing careers in STEM disciplines
CSP
Many Gen Z individuals do not like anything associated with agriculture. It’s not entirely their fault. This perception stems from how movies and society portray farming as a demeaning profession reliant on rudimentary tools like the hoe and cutlass.
However, with the advent of innovations in agriculture, farming has become a significant contributor to Nigeria’s growing economy, contributing nearly 25% to GDP and employing 70% of the country’s workforce. As a result, greater importance is now placed on the agricultural field. This shift underscores why FUTA mandates CSP201 for all its second-year students, with few departmental exemptions.
CSP201 (Crop, Soil, and Pest Management) is an agricultural course taken at the beginning of the session. Each student is allocated a piece of land for maize farming and is responsible for managing their crop until it matures. This includes tasks such as making ridges, planting, weeding, and applying fertilizer.
Once the maize crop is ready for harvest, students are no longer permitted access to the farmland, as the crop becomes university property. The primary aim of this course is to help students develop an appreciation for farming and understand the overall importance of agriculture in society.
OBAKEKERE
Obakekere is located at the south gate of the university. Before the university’s expansion, this area was the primary hub for most of the institution’s lectures. Today, it remains an essential part of the university, as the south gate serves as the main entry point for many off-campus students who frequent this area.
A shuttle station is located at Obakekere, providing easy access for students to move into the campus. The area also houses several notable facilities, including the Agricultural Engineering Workshop, Industrial Design Studio, Mechanical Engineering Workshop, Crop, Soil, and Pest Management Laboratory, and the Limnology Laboratory managed by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, chemistry laboratory. Other facilities in this area include the Physics and Chemistry Departments, FUTA Printing Press, Akindeko Hostel, FUTA Secondary School, the University Health Centre, and the Great Hall, which is the oldest hall in the university.
Obakekere remains a critical hub for academic, administrative, and student activities.
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS
Football is a cherished sport in FUTA, with several tournaments that bring students together to foster camaraderie and showcase their talent.
The Awopegba Cup is a prestigious competition open to all first-year students from every department. It was established to honor Julius Awopegba, a former FUTASUG President who passed away in active service in 2012. This tournament serves as a way to integrate new students into the university community.
The FUTA FA tournament, on the other hand, is open to students at all levels and involves participation from all departments. Each department fields a team of 18 players to compete for the championship. The top three departments are rewarded with a trophy, medals, and monetary prizes, making it one of the most anticipated sporting events on campus.
Additionally, the Distinct Champions League features private teams formed by students within the university. These teams come together to compete in an exciting and dynamic tournament, showcasing individuality, teamwork, and passion for the game.
These football tournaments not only highlight the competitive spirit in FUTA but also serve as a platform for fostering friendships and creating unforgettable memories.
Hostels
Comfort and the welfare of students play significant roles in enhancing their academic performance. It is no surprise that FUTA has a considerable number of hostels, accommodating more than half of its student population. These hostels are designed with fairness in mind, catering to both indigent and privileged students, with fees ranging from as low as #25,000 to #100,000. For male undergraduates, hostels such as Akindeko, Adeniyi, and Adeboye are available, while female undergraduates can choose from Jadesola, Jibowu and its annex, Awosika, and Futascoop. Their proximity to lecture theatres ensures that students can easily access their lecture room for lectures.
Tech hub
Akure Tech Hub was established in 2018 as a pioneering force in driving economic growth in emerging cities across Nigeria. This hub is situated inside FUTA, making it a go-to area for tech enthusiasts among students looking for a conducive environment to horn their skills. The hub enjoys strong collaboration between the Ondo State Government (ODSG), the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), and Emerging Communities Africa, which has been instrumental in its growth and impact.
Over the past five years, Akure Tech Hub has operated as an innovative ecosystem builder, providing the needed support (coworking spaces, incubation, etc.) to entrepreneurs and startups within and outside Akure. The hub’s partnership with ClassVisa, a U.S.-based organization, enabled selected community members to undergo programming skills training, Agile and Scrum training, as well as remote internships for successful candidates.
The hub is one of the most sophisticated tech hubs in Ondo State. Individuals interested in working in this tech hub can subscribe to any of their subscription plans. This could be a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription.
The positioning of this tech hub in FUTA has been instrumental to the students’ transition to tech and high-demand skills.
ENT
ENT301 is a course designed to align with the school’s motto, ‘Technology for Self-Reliance.’ The course is offered by the School of Management and Technology and is mandatory for all third-year students. Its primary aim is to introduce students to desired trades, which run throughout the semester. Each student is required to register and select a trade of their choice. Students have session with their tutors twice a week to enhance their learning experience. At the end of the training, an exhibition is organized to showcase the crafts and skills students have acquired during the period. Students are assessed based on their performance in this exhibition
The impact of this course cannot be overemphasized, as it helps students develop problem-solving skills and encourages them to embrace trade and pursue self-employment.
Ewa Day
Most hostels in FUTA have a day set aside to celebrate their uniqueness. However, Ewa Day is one of the most prominent events, known by both on-campus and off-campus students. The occupants of Akindeko Hostel share one thing in common: an undying love for beans. From the hostel gate, you can perceive the different aromas of beans wafting from their kitchens. Beans are their bond. This shared love for beans is inspired by the constant availability of light and functional cooking hot plates.
Ewa Day is a popular festival among the occupants of Akindeko Hostel. The event begins with an awareness campaign. Students are seen carrying placards, banners, and cooking pots, chanting and gyrating energetically, showcasing their youthfulness and unity. After the awareness, various competitions such as eating contests, games, and talent hunts are held to mark the day.
On the D-day, beans are prepared in large quantities and shared among all participants in the hostel. This event fosters love and unity among students, transcending levels and classes, and contributes to a more harmonious university environment
Malu Road
Malu road is well known road in FUTA, especially popular among students who can’t afford the fare to get to their lecture halls or the north gate of the university. The road gets its name from the presence of the cattle ranch and the Animal Production and Health department located on the left side of the road. Cattle are taken out to graze in the area, which is why the road is associated with livestock.
A notable feature of the Malu road is the newly built health center, which is located along the route. The road also connects several popular hostels, including FUTASCOOP, Adeniyi, Jadesola, and Jibowu, as well as other key buildings like the SUG building. If you enter through the South Gate of the institution also known as Obakekere and head toward Obanla, Malu road is the turning on your left. This road links Obanla to the FUTA North Gate.
It’s almost impossible to have graduated from FUTA without having walked along Malu road at some point.
Transportation within
FUTA has a well-defined transportation system compared to many other institutions. For example, cabs and bikes from outside the town are not allowed access to the campus unless specifically authorized by a member of the university community. Within the campus, FUTA provides buses stationed at the South Gate to transport students to lecture halls and other locations within the university.
As of 2017, the bus fare was just ₦30. However, due to fuel inflation that has plagued the country over the years, the current fare is now ₦150 per person. Unfortunately, despite the hike in bus fares, many of the buses are not roadworthy. There have been past cases of accidents involving these vehicles, often due to their poor condition rather than any other cause.
For students who prefer to avoid the stress of waiting for buses that stop to drop off passengers along the way, there is a chartered car service available. These cars, which are mainly used by financially buoyant students or visitors entering the school, charge between ₦1,200 and ₦1,500.
Additionally, the Student Union Government facilitated the introduction of tricycles to serve students, particularly those residing near the North Gate of the university, as well as for movement within the campus. These tricycles are primarily available for charter or group transportation and are stationed at the North Gate. They charge between ₦500 and ₦700, depending on the destination.
For easy mobility and comfort, an efficient and affordable transportation system is essential in any school to enhance students’ convenience.
FUTASUG
FUTASUG (Federal University of Technology Akure Students’ Union Government) was established in 1984. The union was created to address student welfare and act as an intermediary between students and the school management. It has been particularly helpful in recent times, especially in negotiating school fees when the management proposed an increase.
The union has also been instrumental in organizing annual events to benefit the student body. These events include, but are not limited to:
- Igbeyin FUTA: An initiative aimed at providing foodstuffs to students at affordable prices, particularly toward the end of the semester when many students have exhausted their supplies.
- FUTA Health Week: An event designed to raise awareness among students about the importance of environmental conservation and educate them on how their actions impact the environment.
