Federal University of Technology, Ilaro targets 2027/28 start after transition

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, is targeting the 2027/28 academic session to begin operations as the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro. Acting vice-chancellor Mukail Akinde said the transition was progressing and was being handled strategically. He said committees led by former University of Lagos vice-chancellor Ramon Bello and Charlotte Bose Iro-Idoro had advanced work on different aspects of the change.

The institution is preparing for verification by the National Universities Commission and is working on an academic brief. A new institutional master plan is also expected to be finalised, Akinde said. He said student enrolment had grown from fewer than 10,000 to more than 27,000, while academic programmes had increased from 34 to more than 100 since he assumed office in September 2022.

The school now has eight specialised schools, including Agriculture and Art, Design and Printing Technology. Akinde listed innovations developed by the institution, including an electric tricycle using solar and compressed natural gas technology, an internet-connected solar egg incubator, a plastic bottle shredder and equipment for palm-oil extraction. He said new programmes in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, welding, fabrication, cement technology, automotive studies and mechatronics were intended to provide specialised manpower for industry.

The institution is also automating student records dating back to 1979 and aims to issue transcripts within 24 hours. Akinde said government and TETFund interventions had supported infrastructure, research, innovation hubs and other capital projects.