FUTA Team Secures Third Place at NSBMB 2026 Academic Excellence Quiz

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has recorded another academic achievement as its team emerged third in the maiden Academic Excellence Quiz organised by the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB).

The competition was held as part of the Society’s 2026 Scientific Conference and Annual General Assembly hosted by FUTA from July 6 to 10, 2026.

TEAM FUTA, comprising four undergraduate students from the Department of Biochemistry — Alaba Ifeoluwa Daniel, Imaledo David, Akinrogba Afeez Idowu, and Anoro Emmanuel Oghenemaro — distinguished themselves among participants from nine universities across Nigeria.

The preliminary stage featured teams from FUTA, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Federal University Lokoja, University of Ilorin, Lagos State University (LASU), and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

Following a cumulative aptitude test, FUTA, ABU Zaria, EKSU, and LASU progressed to the semi-final stage, where participants competed in areas including carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, protein and nucleic acid metabolism, enzymology, toxicology, and pharmacology.

In a highly competitive semi-final encounter, FUTA narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing to ABU Zaria by two points, recording 34 points against ABU’s 36 points.

However, the team bounced back in the third-place contest against Lagos State University, defeating LASU with 35 points to 29 points to secure the bronze medal. Ekiti State University emerged overall winner, while Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, finished second.

Following the competition, the Local Organising Chairman of the NSBMB 2026 Conference and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Professor Afolabi Akinmoladun, alongside the Dean, School of Life Sciences, Professor Kolawole Oladunmoye, led the FUTA team on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, on July 17, 2026, where the award was presented and the team’s performance was formally reported.

Commending the students, Professor Oladiji described the achievement as another reflection of FUTA’s longstanding culture of academic excellence and distinction. She noted that the University has continued to produce exceptional graduates, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and globally recognised researchers, particularly from the School of Life Sciences.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the students to remain committed to excellence and continue representing the University positively. In recognition of their outstanding performance, she announced a cash reward of ₦50,000 for the team, while the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Taiwo Timothy Amos, also pledged ₦20,000 in appreciation of their achievement.

The feat further reinforces FUTA’s reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and competitive success in national academic engagements.