FUTO Sharpens Senior Officers' Skills for Effective University Administration

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) is equipping its senior officers with leadership and administrative skills to promote accountability, improve decision-making, and enhance service delivery across the University.

The initiative was the focus of a two-day capacity-building workshop organised for Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Co-ordinators of Units.

Held on October 12 and 13, 2026, at the Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri International Conference Hall, FUTO, the workshop organised by the Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD), FUTO, was themed “Sharpening Leadership Skills in University Administration.”

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I.N.S. Dozie, described it as “timely and strategic” in view of the growing complexities of academic administration, institutional governance, quality assurance, and the demands of a rapidly changing higher education environment.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Engr. Prof. Remy Uche, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Director of CHRD, John Nnabuihe, for highlighting, through the Workshop, the importance of competence, integrity, and effective leadership at various levels of university administration.

“Our aspiration to become a globally competitive institution must, in addition to academic achievements, be supported by transparent administration, effective resource management, respect for established procedures, timely decision-making, and a culture of accountability,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve the administration of their respective Schools, Departments and Units, enhance professional performance, and contribute to the University's overall development.

Earlier, Nnabuihe said the Centre, on the authority of the University Management, organised the workshop as part of capacity building for newly appointed Heads of academic and administrative Units in the university. He noted that staff training and retraining aligned with the Vice-Chancellor’s mantra, “Innovating and Driving Technology for Service.”

The two-day workshop featured presentations by experienced academics and administrators on leadership, administrative procedures, financial management, ethics, staff discipline, and procurement.

On the first day of the workshop, a former Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Jude E. Njoku, delivered the lead paper titled “Team Building and Leadership Skills for Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Co-ordinators.”

Other presentations addressed “Administrative Procedures and Communication Channels in the University”, delivered by former FUTO Registrar, Mr. Orje Ishegh-Nor; “Application of Rules and Regulations in Handling Students' Matters”, by Prof. E.E. Anyanwu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; and “Budgeting and Financial Procedures”, by former FUTO Bursar, Mrs. Helen Onuoha.

On the second day, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development & Innovation), Prof. E.B. Etuk, spoke on “Ethical Issues in Managing Schools and Departments”; former Registrar of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Mrs. Odisa Okeke, addressed “Staff Discipline, Categories of Misconduct and Applicable Penalties”, while the Acting Director of Procurement, Surv. Callistus Esogwa, examined the “Application of Guidelines in the Procurement Act.”

Interactive sessions followed the presentations, and enabled participants to discuss practical administrative challenges, exchange experiences, and explore ways to address bottlenecks.

Participants who spoke to FUTONews said the presentations provided useful insights into their responsibilities and the need to translate the lessons into practice. The Dean, School of Logistics and Innovation Technology (SLIT), Prof. K.A. Okorocha, said the workshop reinforced the importance of ethical decision-making, prudent resource management, and teamwork. “Most importantly, this workshop taught all of us how to work together to lift FUTO to greater heights,” he said.

Also sharing her impression of the workshop, the Deputy Registrar and School Administrative Officer of the School of Environmental Sciences (SOES), Mrs. Perpetua Ibeawuchi, said the programme exposed participants to new knowledge that would produce better results if applied in their workplaces.

Similarly, the Director of Health Services, Dr. I.K. Osuagwu, lauded the quality of the presentations, particularly the session on procurement, which he said every officer in the university ought to be abreast of. He urged the University Management to make the workshop a continuous programme.

Following the success of the workshop, the CHRD Director, John Nnabuihe hinted that the Centre is gearing up for a special training designed for newly employed staff members, in furtherance of the University’s commitment to continuous staff development for improved service delivery.