FUET Kicks Off with 28 Departments, Six Faculties, and 1,004 Pioneer Students

The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma-Saakpenwa, Rivers State, has officially commenced academic activities with the announcement of its maiden matriculation ceremony, welcoming 1,004 pioneer students into 28 departments across six faculties.

At a media briefing on Monday, January 26, 2026, Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom JP DSSRS confirmed that the historic matriculation will hold on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, describing the milestone as a defining moment for the university, Ogoniland, and the wider Niger Delta region.

The admitted students will be enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Faculty of Management Technology. Professor Mmom revealed that although FUET was not initially listed in the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, approval was secured for eligible candidates to transfer their admissions. Out of over 2,000 applicants, approximately 50% were admitted in line with the university’s capacity.

A three-day programme has been scheduled to mark the Founders’ Day and maiden matriculation:

• Sunday, February 1, 2026: Thanksgiving and Spiritual Dedication Service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Tai Archdeaconry at 10 a.m.
• Monday, February 2, 2026: Founders’ Day Roadshow from Saakpenwa Campus to Gbam Junction for public engagement and environmental stewardship activities.
• Tuesday, February 3, 2026: Main Matriculation Ceremony at the FUET Auditorium, featuring the unveiling of the Kenule Saro-Wiwa Statue, commissioning of the Kenule Saro-Wiwa Auditorium by Eze Ogba, Oba of Ogbaland, and a Founders’ Day Lecture by Emeritus Professor Joseph A. Ajienka, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.

The university will also launch a N5 billion Research and Development Endowment Fund to support innovation, translational research, and sustainable development initiatives.

Established following the signing of its enabling law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on February 3, 2025, FUET aims to advance environmental restoration, technological innovation, and sustainable development in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta. The university operates two campuses at Koroma and Saakpenwa, with Koroma community donating land for future expansion, including demonstration farms and agricultural laboratories.

Professor Mmom reported that the National Universities Commission conducted resource verification of the university’s programmes on September 16, 2025, and curricula have been developed in line with Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards. Renovations of inherited facilities were completed in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, and recruitment of pioneer staff is at an advanced stage.

Despite rapid progress, Professor Mmom noted challenges such as lack of take-off funding from the federal or state governments, inadequate accommodation for principal officers, limited lecture theatres and laboratories, unstable electricity, transportation issues between campuses, and the need for strengthened security. He called on stakeholders, host communities, development partners, and the media to support the institution’s formative years, expressing confidence that FUET will emerge as a world-class centre for environmental restoration, sustainable development, and technological innovation.

The maiden matriculation ceremony is expected to attract representatives from federal and state government agencies, traditional rulers, regulatory bodies, industry leaders, and academic institutions nationwide.