FUTO Strengthens Advancement Framework to Drive Sustainability

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) is strengthening its institutional advancement framework as part of efforts to improve resource mobilisation, donor engagement, alumni relations, and partnerships in support of sustainable university development.

The development follows a series of capacity-building programmes undertaken by the University’s Advancement team between June and September 2026, culminating in its participation in the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP) in Abuja.

The FUTO Advancement Unit, led by the Director of Linkages and Advancement, Prof. Chinwe Alisi, participated in the September programme, where he presented an update on the University’s advancement activities. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I.N.S. Dozie, was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Development and Innovation, Prof. E.B. Etuk.

Speaking after the programme, Prof. Alisi said the capacity-building engagements had helped FUTO identify gaps in its existing advancement structure. He explained that the University had historically focused largely on linkages, while fundraising and other broader advancement functions had received less attention.

He said FUTO has responded by developing an advancement framework and donor policies to provide clear guidelines for engaging prospective donors, mobilising resources, and managing donations.

The emerging framework, he noted, would enable the University to build more structured relationships with alumni, philanthropists, industry, and other potential partners, while strengthening its capacity to attract and manage external support for institutional development.

How it began

The renewed move to transform FUTO's Advancement drive began in June with a two-day professional training organised by the Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), in partnership with Amelmpuntuo Consulting, Ghana.

Held at the ACE-FUELS Complex, FUTO, the programme brought together personnel from the Linkages and Advancement Unit and other specialised Units across the University.

The training covered alumni relations, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, partnership development, philanthropy, and resource mobilisation. Practical exercises followed the sessions, enabling participants to apply the lessons, and develop strategies relevant to FUTO.

A key outcome of the June programme was the development of a Strategic Plan of Action for the FUTO Advancement Office, incorporating key performance indicators and implementation timelines to guide the strengthening of the University's advancement structures.

FUTO subsequently joined representatives of other selected Nigerian universities at a follow-up Advancement training in Lagos under the National University Advancement Programme of the Nigerian Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Facilitated by NHEF Executive Director, Dr. Anne Okaomee, the programme examined stakeholder engagement, issues in fundraising, advancement as a profession, and ethics and best practices in advancement.

The September NUAP engagement further highlighted the growing emphasis on university advancement as a strategic component of institutional sustainability. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed universities to place their advancement offices under the direct supervision of Vice-Chancellors, and strengthen the offices with qualified personnel and stable leadership.

The Minister also advocated a broader approach to university financing, involving government investment, research funding, endowments, philanthropy, alumni support, and industry partnerships.

He announced plans by the Federal Ministry of Education to support the deployment of a technology platform developed by NHEF to help universities build and manage advancement data.

For FUTO, the progression from capacity building to the development of an institutional advancement framework marks a shift towards a more structured approach to resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement, with the University positioning Advancement as a strategic tool for supporting its long-term priorities and sustainability.