The Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti (FUTES-IYIN), has again demonstrated its growing strength in technology-driven education as two of its pioneer students emerged among the top winners at the maiden edition of the HealthTrace Data Hackathon 2026 organised by the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

The national competition, which brought together undergraduate students from universities across the country, challenged participants to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered solutions to real-world public health and disease surveillance challenges using advanced data analytics, machine learning and software engineering.

Representing FUTES-IYIN, Okoroafor Kelechi Divine, a 100-level Mathematics student, won second place as a member of Team Seaborn in the Data Analysis and Visualisation category, while Ojo David Winner, a 100-level Data Science student, secured third place with Team Tensor in the Predictive Modelling category.

Reacting to the feat, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, described the students' performance as another validation of the university's deliberate investment in innovation-driven education and practical learning.

"These achievements reaffirm our conviction that excellence is not determined by the age of an institution but by the quality of its vision, the commitment of its faculty, and the determination of its students. We are building a university where innovation is not merely taught but demonstrated," he said.

He noted that although the institution is relatively young, it was established with a clear vision of producing graduates who can compete confidently with their counterparts anywhere in the world through technology, creativity, and solution-oriented learning.

Prof. Aribisala added that the success recorded by the students was an indication that the university's academic philosophy and technology-driven approach to teaching and learning are already yielding measurable results.

"Seeing our pioneer students distinguish themselves at a national competition in Artificial Intelligence and digital health is a strong validation of the direction we have chosen as a university. We will continue to provide an enabling environment that inspires innovation, rewards excellence, and prepares our students to become globally competitive professionals," he added.

The Vice-Chancellor further reaffirmed the university's commitment to expanding investments in research, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships that will expose students to emerging technologies and position FUTES-IYIN as a leading institution for technological advancement in Nigeria and beyond.

Also commending the students, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Prof. Abiodun Oguntimilehin, who mentored and prepared them for the competition, described their success as a reflection of their resilience, willingness to learn, and the quality of academic mentorship available at FUTES-IYIN. 

He expressed delight that the award-winning students are all pioneer 100-level undergraduates, noting that their impressive outing further demonstrates that, with the right guidance and institutional support, young talents can compete favourably with students from long-established universities.