FUTA Emerges Top in National Engineering Research Ranking, Wins Multiple CODET Awards

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has reinforced its reputation as a leading institution in engineering research after emerging as the top-ranked university in the national engineering research publication competition organised by the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET).

The university also recorded another major success as Heritage Ayeni, a final-year student of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, won first place in the 2026 CODET South-West Zone 1 Students Competition held on June 17, 2026.

Presenting the awards to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Dean of the School of Infrastructure, Minerals and Manufacturing Engineering (SIMME), Professor Christopher Akinbile, said the school achieved a landmark feat with one of its research publications emerging as the best in the country.

He disclosed that Engr. Dr. Fidelis Ajibade served as the lead author of the top-ranked publication, while SIMME also secured first-place awards in both the individual and joint project categories of the student competition, led by 500-level engineering students.

According to Akinbile, official confirmation of the results was received on June 29, 2026, with the organisers inviting the award recipients to Abuja for the formal recognition ceremony and activation of their projects.

The winning research paper, titled "Impact of Biochar Amendment on Antibiotic Removal and ARGs Accumulation in Constructed Wetlands for Low C/N Wastewater Treatment," scored 95.3 per cent to emerge first nationally. The study, authored by Engr. Dr. F. O. Ajibade and colleagues, focused on Civil Engineering, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.

The competition also recognised other outstanding research contributions. A paper titled "A Dynamic Maintenance Planning Methodology for HVAC Systems Based on Fuzzy-TOPSIS and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis," submitted by Professor Oluwafemi Olugboji of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, placed second with a score of 94 per cent.

Third place, with a score of 92.7 per cent, went to "Optimization and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Mixed Power System for Sustainable Operation of Cellular Sites in the 5G Era," submitted by Professor Emmanuel Ufuah of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

FUTA's winning research on sustainable wastewater treatment attracted national recognition for its contribution to environmental engineering, water resource management and public health.

Receiving the awards, Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji commended the Dean, researchers and students for bringing honour to the university through their dedication and commitment to excellence.

She said the achievement further strengthens FUTA's national and international reputation, noting that the institution has continued to earn recognition from funding agencies and global organisations because of the quality of its research and academic output.

Professor Oladiji disclosed that the university maintains a database of outstanding achievers to preserve the legacy of award-winning staff and students, expressing confidence that the latest recipients would continue to excel in future competitions.

She also encouraged members of the university community to embrace healthy competition, mentorship and voluntary participation in academic activities, describing them as essential ingredients for sustained excellence.

The latest achievements further underscore FUTA's commitment to producing impactful research, advancing engineering innovation and setting new standards for academic excellence in Nigeria's higher education sector.