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.
