By Obiabin Onukwugha
The newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Tai local government area of Rivers State, is set to kick-off academic activities, as directed by the President, Bola Tinubu.
This comes as the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Thursday, commenced resource verification of 73 degree programmes across seven faculties at the university.
The verification exercise is a critical step towards securing approval for the institution’s academic programmes, with the NUC team assessing facilities, staff strength, and curriculum to ensure compliance with national standards.
The University, was established by the federal government in February this year after Tinubu signed the bill establishing the institution into law, as part of reconciliation efforts with the Ogoni people.
Speaking with NatureNews Correspondent in Rivers State on Friday, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, said the institution has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rivers State University (RSU), and the Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KEN POLY), in the area of resources, infrastructure, library, ICT, technical expertise, amongst others, noting that it is yet to conclude agreement with the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
He said the NUC’s visit is for resource verification; what is the area of strength in terms of the programs, and whether they are in compliance with the NUC guidelines.
On the federal government’s directive for the institution to commence academic session this September, the VC, revealed that the Management has already notified the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, JAMB, of the inauguration of the institution.
He also stated that it is based on its findings, that the NUC will write to JAMB to list the institution in its portal, and also direct students who chose related courses who are willing, to go to CBT centres and change their institutions to the university for it to kickoff.
Earlier, while welcoming the NUC officials on Thursday, the VC emphasised the institution’s commitment to meeting the mandate of the president to commence academic activities in the September 2025 academic session.
“You are aware that this is a newly established university, created through the Act parliament and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 3rd February 2025. Just about 5 weeks ago, the Honourable Minister of Education inaugurated the Governing Council and principal officers, with a clear mandate to ensure academic activities commence this September,” he said.
He commended the NUC, the Rivers State Government for facilities at Saakpenwa and Koroma, as well as the people of the Koroma community who gifted the university 99.3 hectares of land. He noted that renovation and infrastructural work have been fast-tracked despite the absence of federal budgetary allocation for the institution’s takeoff.
Speaking on behalf of the NUC team, Professor John Ohaka explained that the verification exercise is part of ensuring readiness for takeoff in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“All we are doing here today is to assess the level of preparedness and ensure that the university starts on a strong footing. What we need now is quality education to drive sustainable development, and this exercise will help position FUET to compete globally,” he statdd.
Ohaka praised the university management for its hospitality and assured that the team would thoroughly inspect the facilities across both campuses to make recommendations where necessary.
The seven proposed faculties under verification include: Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Management Technology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and Faculty of Education.
