FUTESI VC Prof. Gbenga Aribisala urges JAMB to grant a two-week extension to process pending 2025 admissions at the new university

Gbenga Aribisala FUTESI JAMB extension — The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTESI), Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, has appealed to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to grant the institution an additional two weeks to finalise its 2025 admissions.

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Speaking with journalists in Iyin Ekiti on Friday, Aribisala explained that while FUTESI has a quota of 1,500 candidates, it had only been able to process admission for about 1,200 students before the JAMB portal closure deadline of midnight, November 31.

“That is why we are under some tension. After closing the portal tonight, there are still thousands of candidates who are interested. Some have been hanging around since morning because of admission,” the VC said.

Aribisala pleaded with the admission board to consider the peculiar situation of the newly established university, saying that a short extension would allow more qualified candidates to be admitted.

“We are a new university; we were just enlisted on the JAMB CAPS platform. If we have two weeks more, we can take in more students and reach our quota. We are pleading with JAMB to give us that grace period,” he added.

The vice chancellor expressed optimism that academic activities would commence in December, noting that facilities were nearing completion. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the recruitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff.

“By next week, the recruitment advertisement will be out and will run for six weeks. After that, we can begin full operations,” Aribisala said.

FUTESI is one of two specialised universities established in February 2025 after President Tinubu signed bills creating the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, and the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State.

The President said the institutions would drive research, innovation, and national growth through science, technology, and agriculture-focused education.

Meanwhile, JAMB had earlier directed all public universities to close their 2025 admission processes by October 31, and private universities by November 30, in a move aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s academic calendar and ensuring equitable access to admission slots.

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As the new FUTESI prepares to welcome its pioneer students, Aribisala’s appeal underscores the challenges faced by emerging institutions seeking to find their footing within Nigeria’s fast-evolving higher education system.