FUTA To Boost Agricultural Innovation, Healthcare Infrastructure

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has stepped up investment in agricultural innovation, research capacity and healthcare infrastructure as part of efforts to confront food insecurity and strengthen academic development.

The vice chancellor, Prof Adenike Oladiji, disclosed this during an interview with journalists while showcasing ongoing projects and new infrastructural developments within the university.

She explained that the expansion projects were designed to respond to the needs of students, staff, researchers, and visiting scholars, as well as to position the institution as a leading hub for innovation-driven learning.

One of the major interventions, she said, is the construction of a purpose-built accommodation facility for visiting researchers and accreditation teams, aimed at addressing previous challenges of inadequate lodging within the campus.

‎’’We are deliberately expanding our infrastructure to match the growing academic and research demands of the university. FUTA is becoming a destination for scholars, and we must provide facilities that reflect that reality,” Oladiji said.

‎She added that the institution has also intensified investments in agriculture and technology-based food production to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security agenda.

‎She added that, “We started with just 150 birds, then expanded gradually to 500 and 1,000, and now we are scaling up with plans to introduce about 4,500 more birds. This growth reflects our commitment to making FUTA a serious player in agricultural production.”

According to her, the university’s feed mill has become a dual-purpose facility used for commercial production and hands-on student training in feed formulation and livestock nutrition.

‎She further disclosed that all 200-level students undergo compulsory practical training in crop production, where they are taught the full agricultural value chain, from cultivation to processing and feed production.

‎Oladiji noted that the institution has also established modern greenhouse facilities for year-round cultivation of crops such as bell peppers and habanero peppers, with some components locally fabricated to reduce operational costs.

‎She added that the university has secured full accreditation for its medical programme from the National Universities Commission and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, while plans are ongoing to upgrade the institution’s health centre into a full-fledged hospital equipped with improved diagnostic and laboratory services.