How our transition from polytechnic to university is progressing — Ag. VC

Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI), Dr Mukail Aremu Akinde, speaks to MODUPE GEORGE about his achievements after four years at the helm of the institution, its transition from a polytechnic to a university of technology, innovations, research outputs and future plans.

Would you say your connection with the institution predates your appointment as its head? Tell us about your journey.

Yes. I can boldly say that my connection with the institution predates my appointment as its head. I came to lead an institution where my late father was a vendor, and I started as a clerk. I began my career in the institution in 1987 as a clerk in the Bursary Department and subsequently worked across several administrative areas before becoming an instructor on February 11, 1999. I also studied at and graduated from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, with an ND in Accountancy, in 1991 and an HND, in Accountancy, in 1994. I later became the pioneer head of the Taxation Department, in 2015 and was elected dean, in 2018 after a closely contested election in which I won by one vote: 28 to 27.

As a tree cannot make a forest, my story will not be complete without mentioning some people, who supported my progress to where I am today. I must single out Alhaji Rilwan Egbeyemi, who saw that I could contribute to the development of the polytechnic and employed me as an instructor in 1999. He also recognised my potential and gave me the opportunity to contribute more directly to the development of the institution. I also acknowledge the roles played by my former Deputy Rector (Academics), now the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Dr (Mrs) Charlotte Bose Iro-Idoro; the Registrar; the Polytechnic Librarian, whom I described as my “mother”; the DVC (Administration), Tpl. Lukman Lasisi; and the Bursar, Dr M. B. Akinola, who are the obelisk through which the administration is standing.

Four years after you assumed office as rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, what would you say has changed in the institution?

The Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI) has expanded from less than 10,000 students to more than 27,000 and increased its academic departments from 34 to over 100 programmes within four years of my assuming office as rector. I assumed the leadership of the institution, then the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, on September 27, 2022. Four years on, I can say that the institution was the best polytechnic in Nigeria before transitioning to a university of technology. The institution has also expanded from six schools to eight specialised schools, including the School of Agriculture and the School of Art and Design and Printing Technology. This growth has been accompanied by an increase in student population, academic programmes, staffing, academic capacity, the number of PhD holders and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, and research activities through the acquisition of more Institutional Based Research (IBR) and National Research Fund (NRF) grants from TETFund.

What are some of the practical innovations and research outputs recorded under your administration?

The institution is currently fabricating 11 electric and solar-powered tricycles for transportation on campus to further support the clean energy initiatives of the Federal Government, ably led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Schools of Engineering and Pure and Applied Sciences have also fabricated equipment for garri processing production lines, waste conversion for use on the farm, and printing presses, as well as other patented machines awaiting interest from entrepreneurs for commercial use to benefit the host community. The institution presently uses locally fabricated biometric devices developed by the Computer Science and Computer Engineering departments to take attendance in classrooms and at meetings. We now use Python codes to distribute students randomly for examinations, and we have installed CCTV cameras in some classrooms as a test run to monitor students during examinations.

The institution is working towards automating students’ files and results from 1979 to date to enable the issuance of transcripts in less than 24 hours and fully automate online registration without the use of files and paper. The Directorate of Printing has started printing about 30 per cent of examination booklets and 100 per cent of students’ files.

How far has the transition from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, progressed?

The transition from the former Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, is progressing, although the process is being handled strategically. Committees headed by Professor Ramon Bello, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and Dr Charlotte Bose Iro-Idoro, respectively, have made steady progress on the respective aspects of the transition. Our people should know that the work of changing FPI to FUTI is progressing. It is just that everything must be done strategically.

When is the institution expected to commence university education?

God willing, we are targeting the 2027/2028 academic session as the start-off year. As the institution prepares for verification by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the administration is also working on an Academic Brief, after which a new institutional Master Plan is expected to be finalised.

What will the academic structure of FUTI look like?

FUTI is preparing to commence with nine faculties covering Engineering Technology, Sciences, Environmental Technology, Communication and Information, Administrative and Management Science, Social Science, Computing, Agriculture Technology, and Visual Arts. The institution will also operate a Centre for General Studies.

Can you share what machines or technologies the institution has patented?

Specifically, the institution has patented a 3-in-1 electric tricycle incorporating solar and CNG technology; an IoT-integrated solar egg incubator and hatcher with dynamic environmental control; an integrated mixer and extruder for mechanised kokoro production; a motorised digester for palm oil extraction; a compact plastic-bottle shredder; and a customised biometric system for students’ and staff attendance and access control.

You have also introduced several new departments. What informed this expansion?

The institution has started many new departments to drive the country’s industrial growth. Some of these departments and divisions include Arts and Printing (Sculpture, Textile, Painting, Ceramics, etc.), Printing Technology, Metallurgical, Automotive, Auto-body, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Cement Technology, Welding and Fabrication, Renewable Energy, Agricultural Technology, Animal Health, Horticulture, Crops, and Agricultural Extension, among many others.

The Welding and Fabrication and Cement Technology programmes, according to the Rector and Acting Vice-Chancellor, were specifically designed to provide specialised manpower for Dangote Cement PLC at Ibese and other cement companies, as well as Dangote refineries, to support the country’s industrial development.

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In terms of internally generated revenue (IGR), what other projects have been achieved?

My administration facilitated 43 projects through internally generated revenue and has been able to construct a Squadron Mopol Police base for the use of Mopol personnel to enhance the security of students and staff, both on and off campus.

No doubt, the student population has increased significantly. Has this had any impact on the host community?

The rise in student population has generated economic benefits beyond the institution’s immediate academic environment. Transport operators, food vendors and traders, among others, have benefited from the increased population. I also attribute the continued relationship between the institution and its host community to cooperation with the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, HRM Oba (Dr) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR, Asade Agunloye IV, as well as the Polytechnic Ilaro Community Forum.

How have government and TETFund interventions supported the institution’s development?

Government and TETFund interventions have supported the institution’s development through high-impact interventions, special interventions, agricultural farm grants, grants for the Senate Building, Innovation Hubs, and an increase in capital expenditure from ₦400 million in 2022 to billions of naira presently. The institution’s electricity supply is improving, with the ongoing installation of 1.56 megawatts of solar power generation capacity through TETFund intervention. The Ogun-Osun River Basin is also about to complete the dam in the institution, which had been a mirage since 1979, when the idea was conceived.

In addition, Senator Dr Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA, FCTI, FPPI, facilitated the institution’s connection to the Papalanto feeder. Through TETFund interventions, the management is also about to install 126 [units of equipment not specified in the original text] in the markets, banks and other commercial buildings on campus.

One major challenge facing Nigerian tertiary institutions is the migration of academic staff abroad. How are you addressing this?

The Akinde-led administration has intensified efforts to ensure strict compliance with a policy requiring staff sponsored for international studies to return and serve the institution and the country. We have resolved to ensure that any staff member sponsored abroad for further studies must return home to serve his or her fatherland.

With the expansion in students and programmes, how is the institution responding to the manpower needs?

Mrs Aderonke Folasade Babatola: The increase in student population and academic programmes has created additional demand for manpower. FUTI currently has at least 80 PhD holders on its staff list, while 371 new staff members have been recruited in two batches of 146 and 225. The institution is seeking waivers to enable it to recruit more professors.

What is your focus for the next phase of your administration?

The next phase of my administration will focus on strengthening the “Engineering Identity” of FUTI, with emphasis on hands-on technical skills, research and the practical application of knowledge. The objective is to create an environment where research can be replicated and applied to real-world industrial and societal needs. For me, however, the progress recorded over the past four years is not an endpoint. We haven’t done anything other than recognise that we have to do more.