The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic to strengthen academic collaboration, resource sharing and mutual institutional growth.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of FUET, Professor Chinedu Mmom, expressed delight at being present at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, describing the occasion as significant.
He stated that since the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, who, after signing into law the Act for its establishment, inaugurated the governing Council of the University to ensure that academic activities commence this September for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Professor Mmom, while thanking President Tinubu for trusting him with the leadership of a new University, noted that FUET is the first specialised university of its kind in Nigeria.
“It is the first of its kind in Nigeria, a specialised university — the university of our dream. The University of the Dream of the Ogoni people, Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole.
The Vice Chancellor emphasised that FUET’s mandate is clearly defined and will be pursued with innovative approaches.
He explained that the challenges of oil and gas exploration are not limited to Ogoni alone but extend to other parts of the Niger Delta.
The Vice Chancellor admitted that the Federal University of Environment and Technology will not only seek to provide solutions to environmental challenges in Ogoni land but also address those of Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and other environmentally challenged areas across the country.
Professor Mmom said that the University has kicked off with two campuses, one at Koroma in Tai and another at Saakpenwa in Tai, even as they expect the NUC resource verification team to verify the programs, assess the state of readiness to enable the University to commence its programmes.
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He added that while the University does not yet have all the resources required for a smooth take-off and strategic collaboration with Kenpoly is crucial.
“The University does not have all the resources required for this take-off. That is why we have come to you, our sister institution, to support us in the areas of manpower, equipment, laboratory facilities, and other sundry needs that will enable us to find our feet. It is on this premise that we are here.
Within these two institutions in Ogoniland, there will be an exchange of staff, students, and ideas. As the University grows and acquires equipment, the staff of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic will also benefit from them, just as we will be benefiting from you until we are fully established. This mutual collaboration will continue to exist even when the University finds its feet.
We sincerely thank you for the warm reception, for listening to us, and for giving us a sense of belonging. We are indeed partners in the same progress, and may God bless this union to His glory.”
Earlier, the Rector of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Ledum Suanu Gwarah welcomed the FUET delegation on behalf of the institution’s management.
“We are happy to receive the team led by a renowned Professor, a technocrat, a son of the soil, and our own. We are proud to have you in our midst. We also extend our gratitude to the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who deemed it necessary to honour the people of Rivers State by responding to the yearnings of the Ogoni people to establish the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa. This is a welcome development for both the Ogoni and Rivers people.
We have suffered environmental degradation in Ogoniland and Rivers State as a whole. Oil spills are not peculiar to Ogoni alone; they are also present in ONELGA and other parts of the State. We, therefore, see this University
