FUET Vice-Chancellor Commends President Tinubu for Establishing University, Visits Koroma Community

The Management of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, has paid a courtesy visit to Koroma Community, one of its host communities in Ogoniland.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, JP, DSSRS, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the university on February 3, 2025. He described the development as the fulfillment of a long-standing agreement between the Federal Government and the Ogoni people.

“We are grateful to the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for making our dream come true by signing into law the bill establishing this university. His action demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to the Ogoni people,” Professor Mmom said.

The Vice-Chancellor recalled that the Governing Council and Principal Officers of FUET were inaugurated on August 11, 2025, by the Honourable Minister of Education, with Professor Don Baridam, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council.

He highlighted the rapid progress made by his administration within a short period, noting that FUET had achieved several milestones barely two months after its inauguration.

“We hit the ground running. Within two months, we advertised for admission, while some universities inaugurated in 2023 are still struggling to take off. I did not lobby to become Vice-Chancellor; it was a divine appointment,” he stated.

Professor Mmom disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had successfully conducted a resource verification exercise and approved six faculties with seventy-six (76) academic programmes, even though the university had yet to receive official funding.

Approved Faculties and Programmes:

1. Faculty of Agriculture:
Crop and Soil Science, Agricultural Economics and Extension, Animal Science, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

2. Faculty of Allied Health Sciences:
Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Disaster Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Health Information Management.

3. Faculty of Engineering and Technology:
Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Environmental Engineering.

4. Faculty of Environmental Sciences:
Architecture, Environmental Management and Toxicology, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Quantity Surveying.

5. Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences:
Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics with Electronics, Industrial Chemistry, Plant Science and Biotechnology, Microbiology, Geology.

6. Faculty of Management Technology:
Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Encouraging parents and guardians, the Vice-Chancellor urged those whose children scored 150 and above in the last Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination to consider FUET as a preferred choice, assuring that the institution would maintain high academic standards and deliver quality education.

He dismissed rumours of ongoing staff recruitment, clarifying that the process had not commenced.
“Recruitment has not started. When we begin, it will be transparent and merit-based after receiving the necessary approvals,” he affirmed.

Professor Mmom further revealed that FUET was already attracting international investors and partners interested in establishing research centres and institutes within the university.

In his goodwill message, the former Sole Administrator of Tai Local Government Area, Chief Gbipah Okeri, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, government officials, and community leaders for their roles in making the university a reality.

“We thank President Tinubu for his courage to sign the bill establishing this university. We are also grateful to our ministers, senators, governors, and all community members for their support. The university is a blessing to Ogoni and the entire Rivers people,” Chief Okeri stated.

Similarly, Barr. B. A. Gwezia, Legal Adviser to the Koroma Community, commended the high calibre of professionals in FUET’s management team.

“Your team is special — your Registrar, Bursar, Librarian, and Chief of Staff are all Doctors. That is impressive,” he remarked, assuring the Vice-Chancellor of the community’s total cooperation and support.

Also speaking, Rev. Dr. Goka Mpigi applauded FUET’s visionary leadership and urged the management to uphold the university’s academic integrity.

“It will be a shame if the university lowers its standard. Please bring in the best hands and uphold excellence,” he advised.