FUNATO Schedules Pioneer Resumption for March 6, 2026

The Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO), located in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, has announced Friday, March 6, 2026, as the resumption date for its pioneer students.

The decision followed the university’s inaugural statutory Senate meeting held on Wednesday, February 4, 2025, where members ratified the academic roadmap for FUNATO’s first cohort.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Registrar and Secretary to the University Senate, Amuni Mohammed Olayinka, said the resolution was based on comprehensive reports presented by the university management as well as the Committee of Deans and Directors on the institution’s preparedness.

According to Olayinka, the Senate received detailed briefings on academic, administrative, and welfare arrangements ahead of the historic takeoff and subsequently took key decisions to guarantee a smooth resumption and student well-being.

He explained that under the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, students will resume on March 6, with registration scheduled to run until March 10. This will be followed by an intensive orientation programme from March 11 to March 19.

Formal academic activities will commence shortly after, with first semester lectures slated to begin on Monday, March 23, 2026. The university’s maiden matriculation ceremony has been fixed for Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The first semester examinations are expected to hold in July, after which students will proceed on a short break. The second semester will begin on August 3, 2026, while the entire academic session is projected to end on November 30, 2026. The 2026/2027 academic session is tentatively scheduled to commence on December 14.

Addressing accommodation concerns within the developing host community, FUNATO management disclosed that a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement has been adopted to provide secure and affordable hostel facilities for students.

The statement noted that the university would facilitate hostel accommodation within surrounding communities at regulated and reasonable rent rates, with adequate security provided under university supervision.

Olayinka also revealed that matriculation numbers would soon be issued to candidates who have paid their acceptance fees, enabling them to proceed with school fees payment and official registration.

He added that prospective students who are yet to secure admission still have the opportunity to apply, as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal remains open for candidates wishing to change their institution of choice to FUNATO.

The Vice-Chancellor and the University Senate congratulated the incoming students, describing them as the foundation upon which the institution’s future legacy would be built.

Established in 2025 following the signing of its enabling law, FUNATO is now making final preparations to formally matriculate its first set of students.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olaniyi Babayemi, said the university is committed to producing graduates who are academically sound, entrepreneurially driven, technologically skilled, and equipped to tackle 21st-century challenges.

As resumption draws closer, the management advised all admitted candidates to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute technical challenges.