In a statement issued on Friday, the university management confirmed that qualified candidates are invited to apply for the 2025/2026 Post-UTME online screening, marking the formal take-off of the newly established federal institution located in Kajola Local Government Area of the state.
Describing the development as a significant moment for higher education in Nigeria, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olaniyi Babayemi, said the admission exercise represents the foundation of the university’s long-term vision. According to him, FUNATO is conceived as a science-based centre of excellence that integrates agriculture with modern technology to address national development needs.
The management stressed that only candidates who selected FUNATO as their first-choice institution in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) would be eligible for the screening exercise. This, it noted, is aimed at attracting committed pioneers who are genuinely aligned with the institution’s mission and values.
“We are not just building a university,” Babayemi said. “We are cultivating a community of scholars and change-makers who will transform Nigeria’s agricultural and technological landscape.”
Online registration for the screening exercise is currently ongoing and will close on Monday, January 12, 2026. The screening itself is scheduled to hold between January 19 and January 30, according to the official timeline released by the management.
On admission requirements, the university disclosed that applicants must have a minimum UTME score of 150 and possess at least five O’Level credits, underscoring its commitment to maintaining high academic standards from inception.
Babayemi further explained that FUNATO’s mission goes beyond conventional academic training, noting that the institution aims to produce graduates who are academically sound, technologically skilled, entrepreneurially minded, and equipped to tackle 21st-century challenges.
As preparations continue to welcome its first cohort of students, prospective applicants have been advised to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute technical issues. The management also urged candidates to see themselves not merely as students, but as foundational members of the university’s future.
Reiterating this call, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged applicants to embrace the pioneering opportunity. “You are choosing to be part of history. FUNATO offers an environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and excellence as we begin this journey together,” he said.
It will be recalled that on October 5, 2025, Professor Babayemi had announced that the university was ready to commence academic activities following official assurance from the Federal Ministry of Education. FUNATO is positioned to play a strategic role in advancing agriculture through innovation and technology-driven education in Nigeria.