FUET Management Visits Eleme Council Chairman, Seeks Collaboration for University Take-Off

The Management of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, at the Council Secretariat in Ogale, Eleme.

Led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, the delegation visited to seek collaboration and support from the Local Government for the smooth take-off of the university’s academic operations.

In his remarks, Prof. Mmom expressed gratitude to the Chairman for granting the team audience, noting that earlier attempts to hold the meeting had been delayed by unavoidable circumstances. He thanked the Council for the warm reception, emphasizing that FUET’s establishment followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent on February 3, 2025, and its subsequent inauguration by the Honourable Minister of Education on August 11, 2025.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the University’s Governing Council is chaired by Prof. Don Baridam, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, and that management has already begun groundwork to ensure a successful take-off.

He disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved 30 academic programmes across six faculties — Agriculture, Natural and Applied Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Allied Health Sciences, and Management Technology — following a successful resource verification exercise in September.

Prof. Mmom announced that admission processes have commenced, urging prospective students to visit the JAMB website and select FUET, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni as their preferred institution.

Addressing public speculation, he clarified that the University has not commenced recruitment, adding that employment would begin only after obtaining the necessary government waivers. He assured that recruitment would be transparent and merit-driven, while also revealing that junior staff positions (Levels 1–6) have been reserved for host community members across the four Ogoni Local Government Areas as part of the institution’s community-inclusive policy.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the University is committed to building a strong academic and administrative base that will make Rivers State and Nigeria proud within the next two years. He also noted that several Ogoni indigenes have already been appointed to strategic positions, including Director of Works, Head of ICT, and Dean of Agriculture.

In his response, Hon. Obarilomate Ollor expressed joy over the establishment of the University, describing it as a major milestone for the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, FCT Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and Senator Barry Mpigi for facilitating the institution’s creation, describing their efforts as proof that the region has not been forgotten.

The Council Chairman pledged the support of the Eleme Local Government, assuring that the Council would engage its legislative arm to identify priority areas for immediate collaboration. He lauded Prof. Mmom’s leadership and humility, describing him as “a man of integrity with a proven record of service.”

Hon. Ollor emphasized that FUET’s establishment will boost education, create jobs, and drive socio-economic growth in the Ogoni region. He encouraged the management to continue engaging traditional rulers and local stakeholders to sustain peace and cooperation.