The Polytechnic, Ibadan Competitors

The University College, Ibadan, was founded in 1948. At first, it occupied the old site previously used by the 56th Military General Hospital about eight kilometers away from the 'new' or permanent site. The new site covered over 1,032 hectares of land generously leased by the chiefs and people of Ibadan for 999 years. With equipment transferred from Yaba Higher College, the 104 foundation students (including 49 students in teacher training and survey courses) began their courses at Ibadan, on 18 January, 1948; the formal opening took place on 25 March, 1948. In February, 1948, London University allowed Ibadan its special relationship scheme. Arthur Creech Jones, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, and an influential member of the Elliot Commission, turned the first sod at the permanent site of the University College, on 17 November, 1948, which became the Foundation Day.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is one of Nigeria's earliest and most impactful universities. Since its founding in 1962, OAU has been a centrepiece of research excellence and a home for Arts and Science.

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. FUTO engaged Messrs Concarplan – Enplan Group (a firm of Consultants) to design the physical plan 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 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.