The Beginning...
FUTO, as the Oldest University of Technology in Nigeria was
established in 1980 by Executive fiat with the composition and
appointment of the first provisional Council by Nigeria's First
Executive President, Shehu Shagari. It became the first of three such
Universities set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria who sought to
establish a University of Technology in each geo-political region and
particularly in a State which did not have a conventional University.
On November 28, 1980 in the premises of the Old Government Technical
College (GTC), FUTO opened its doors to staff and students. In January,
1982 the Imo State government approved a permanent site for the
University.
Located 25 kilometers south of Owerri, the selection of the site was
guided by the advice of the National Universities Commission that a
minimum area of ten thousand (10,000) acres or 4,048 hectares should be
obtained based on the location, relative absence of human settlements
within the area and other relevant factors.
FUTO engaged Messrs Concarplan - Enplan Group (a firm of Consultants)
to design the physical plan for the University.
FUTO is surrounded by a number of autonomous communities and homesteads
all of which had contributed land acquired for the development of the
University. These communities are Ihiagwa, Obinze, Umuoma, Nekede,
Eziobodo, Avu, Okolochi, Obibiezena and Emeabiam.
It is bisected by a new road between Obinze and Naze which connects
the two mentioned major roads. The Otamiri River traverses the site from
North to South and with the beautiful vegetation in its river basin
forms an important physical feature.