FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI (FUTO) ANNOUNCES PROGRAMME FOR 39TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, has announced the programme of events for its 39th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to take place from Tuesday, December 1, to Sunday, December 6, 2026.

The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie, on behalf of the University Council, Senate, Management and Staff.

The six-day celebration will feature several activities, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Pre-Convocation Press Briefing, Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition, Convocation Tree Planting, Ecumenical Service, Alumni Reunion, Convocation Lecture, inspection and commissioning of projects, and Thanksgiving Service.

The convocation ceremony will recognise graduating students through the admission to First Degrees, Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas, as well as the presentation of academic prizes.

One of the major highlights will be the Convocation Lecture scheduled to be delivered by Professor Maruf Tunji Alausa. The lecture is titled “Re-imagining the Nigerian University: From Knowledge Transmission to Knowledge Creation, Technological Enterprise and Global Competitiveness.”

The main degree ceremonies will take place on Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5, 2026. The admission to Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas, alongside the award of prizes, is scheduled for Friday, while the conferment of First Degrees and other awards will take place on Saturday.

The University has invited graduands, parents, guardians, members of the University community and the general public to participate in the activities.

FUTO 39th Convocation Ceremony 2026: Full Programme of Events

The 39th Convocation Ceremony will run for six days, beginning on Tuesday, December 1, and ending on Sunday, December 6, 2026.

Below is the programme as released by the University.

Date	Event	Time	Venue
Tuesday, December 1, 2026	Vice-Chancellor’s Pre-Convocation Press Briefing	11:00 a.m.	Not specified
Tuesday, December 1, 2026	Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition	12:00 noon	Not specified
Wednesday, December 2, 2026	Convocation Tree Planting	10:00 a.m.	Not specified
Wednesday, December 2, 2026	Ecumenical Service	12:00 noon	S.O.S. Hall, Owerri
Thursday, December 3, 2026	Glo-Ran Hall / E-Events, Off PH Road, Owerri	10:00 a.m.	Glo-Ran Hall / E-Events
Thursday, December 3, 2026	Alumni / Reunion	10:00 a.m.	Alumni Hall
Thursday, December 3, 2026	Convocation Lecture	10:00 a.m.	Not specified in this part of the programme
Friday, December 4, 2026	Admission to Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Award of Prizes	11:00 a.m.	Convocation Arena
Friday, December 4, 2026	Convocation Lecture by Professor Maruf Tunji Alausa	Time not separately stated	Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Convocation Hall, FUTO
Saturday, December 5, 2026	Inspection and Commissioning of Projects	10:00 a.m.	University-wide
Saturday, December 5, 2026	Admission to First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Award of Prizes	11:00 a.m.	Convocation Arena
Sunday, December 6, 2026	Thanksgiving Service	10:00 a.m.	University Chapel

Day 1: Tuesday, December 1, 2026

The first day of the convocation activities will feature the Vice-Chancellor’s Pre-Convocation Press Briefing and the Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition.

Vice-Chancellor’s Pre-Convocation Press Briefing

The Pre-Convocation Press Briefing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

The briefing will provide an opportunity for the University Management to engage with members of the media ahead of the 39th Convocation Ceremony.

It will also form part of the activities leading to the main graduation ceremonies.

Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition

The Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition will take place at 12:00 noon on the same day.

The exhibition will provide an opportunity to showcase students’ research activities, innovative ideas and projects developed within the University.

The activity highlights the importance of research, creativity and technological innovation in a university of technology.

Day 2: Wednesday, December 2, 2026

The second day will feature the Convocation Tree Planting and Ecumenical Service.

Convocation Tree Planting

The Convocation Tree Planting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 2.

The activity will form part of the University’s convocation programme and provide an opportunity to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

The announcement does not specify the exact location within the University for the tree-planting exercise.

Ecumenical Service

The Ecumenical Service will hold at 12:00 noon at S.O.S. Hall, Owerri.

The service will bring members of the University community together as part of the activities marking the 39th Convocation Ceremony.

Day 3: Thursday, December 3, 2026

Thursday’s programme includes activities connected with the Alumni Reunion and Convocation Lecture.

Alumni Reunion

The Alumni Reunion is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the Alumni Hall.

The event will provide an opportunity for former students of the University to reconnect with one another and celebrate their shared experience as members of the FUTO community.

Alumni activities are an important part of institutional celebrations because they strengthen relationships between graduates and their alma mater.

Glo-Ran Hall / E-Events

The programme also lists Glo-Ran Hall / E-Events, Off PH Road, Owerri, at 10:00 a.m.

However, the announcement does not clearly identify the specific activity associated with this venue. Interested attendees should seek clarification from the University before making arrangements based on this entry.

Convocation Lecture

The programme lists a Convocation Lecture for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 3.

However, another section of the announcement provides Friday, December 4, as the date for the Convocation Lecture by Professor Maruf Tunji Alausa.

Graduands and other interested participants should therefore confirm the final lecture date and arrangements through the University’s official communication channels.

Day 4: Friday, December 4, 2026

Friday will feature the admission to Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas, the presentation of prizes and the Convocation Lecture.

Admission to Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas

The ceremony for the admission to Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas, alongside the award of prizes, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

The venue is the Convocation Arena.

This event will recognise postgraduate graduands who have successfully completed their respective academic programmes, as well as recipients of University awards and prizes.

FUTO Convocation Lecture 2026

The announcement identifies Professor Maruf Tunji Alausa as the Convocation Lecturer.

The lecture topic is:

“RE-IMAGINING THE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY: FROM KNOWLEDGE TRANSMISSION TO KNOWLEDGE CREATION, TECHNOLOGICAL ENTERPRISE AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS.”

The stated venue is the Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri Convocation Hall, FUTO.

The topic focuses on the changing role of Nigerian universities, particularly the need to move beyond the traditional transmission of knowledge towards knowledge creation, technological enterprise and global competitiveness.

The lecture is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions about the future of higher education, research, innovation and the contribution of universities to national development.

Day 5: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Saturday will feature the inspection and commissioning of projects, followed by the admission to First Degrees and the presentation of prizes.

Inspection and Commissioning of Projects

The inspection and commissioning of projects will take place at 10:00 a.m.

The venue is listed as University-wide, indicating that the activity will involve project locations across the institution.

The exercise forms part of the convocation activities and provides an opportunity to showcase completed or newly commissioned University projects.

Admission to First Degrees and Award of Prizes

The conferment of First Degrees is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Convocation Arena.

This ceremony will recognise undergraduate students who have successfully completed their respective academic programmes.

For the graduating students, the event will mark an important milestone after years of academic work, examinations, practical training and other university activities.

The programme also includes the award of prizes to deserving recipients.

Graduands, parents, guardians and invited guests are encouraged to take note of the scheduled time and venue.

Day 6: Sunday, December 6, 2026

The 39th Convocation activities will conclude with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, December 6, 2026.

The service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the University Chapel.

The Thanksgiving Service will provide an opportunity for members of the University community to express gratitude as the six-day convocation celebration comes to an end.

Important Information for FUTO Graduands and Guests

The University has encouraged all graduands, parents, guardians and well-wishers to participate fully in the convocation activities.

Graduating students should take note of the different degree ceremonies:

• Friday, December 4, 2026: Admission to Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Award of Prizes.
• Saturday, December 5, 2026: Admission to First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Award of Prizes.

Graduands should also monitor further University announcements for additional instructions concerning academic gowns, convocation fees, invitation cards, guest access, procession arrangements and other requirements.

These specific arrangements were not included in the programme provided.

Frequently Asked Questions About FUTO 39th Convocation Ceremony 2026

1. When is FUTO’s 39th Convocation Ceremony?

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, will hold its 39th Convocation Ceremony from Tuesday, December 1, to Sunday, December 6, 2026.

2. Who is the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO?

The Vice-Chancellor is Professor Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie.

3. Who will deliver the FUTO 2026 Convocation Lecture?

The announcement identifies Professor Maruf Tunji Alausa as the Convocation Lecturer.

4. What is the topic of the FUTO Convocation Lecture?

The topic is “Re-imagining the Nigerian University: From Knowledge Transmission to Knowledge Creation, Technological Enterprise and Global Competitiveness.”

5. When will FUTO confer First Degrees in 2026?

The admission to First Degrees is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

6. When will FUTO confer Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas?

The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

7. Where will the main degree ceremonies take place?

The admission to Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas, as well as the conferment of First Degrees, will take place at the Convocation Arena.

8. When is the FUTO Convocation Thanksgiving Service?

The Thanksgiving Service is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the University Chapel.

9. Is the general public invited to the FUTO 39th Convocation?

Yes. The University has invited members of the University community and the general public to participate in the convocation activities.

Conclusion

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, has announced its 39th Convocation Ceremony programme, scheduled to take place from December 1 to December 6, 2026.

The six-day celebration will feature research and innovation exhibitions, tree planting, an ecumenical service, alumni activities, a Convocation Lecture, the conferment of First and Higher Degrees, project commissioning and a Thanksgiving Service.

Graduands, parents, guardians, alumni and other members of the public are encouraged to take note of the programme and participate in the activities.

Congratulations to all graduating students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, as they prepare to celebrate their academic achievements.