Brief History
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti is one of the second-generation Polytechnics established by law, through Decree No. 33 of July, 1979. It was first founded in 1977 as a College of Technology in Jos, Plateau State and later that year moved to Akure, Ondo State by the then Federal Military Government. In line with the harmonization of all Federal Government owned Polytechnics, it was translated from a College of Technology into a full-fledged Polytechnic by decree No. 33 of July, 1979. By 1982 and in order to pave way for the founding of the Federal University of Technology on its Campus in Akure, the Polytechnic was again relocated, for the final time, to Ado-Ekiti. The relocation process was however completed only in 1986.
The Institution has grown from Seven Academic Departments with a pioneer student enrollment of 350 (Full-Time National Diploma) and 95 Academic Staff in 1978. It now has over 10,000 (Full-Time Morning and Evening, National Diploma, Higher National Diploma) Students with a total Staff strength of about 2,000, made up of Teaching, Non-Teaching, Technical/Technologist and Junior Cadre Staff with 29 Academic Departments presently in the five Schools Structure.
Laws Establishing The Polytechnic
The law establishing the Polytechnic is the Federal Polytechnics (Establishment) Decree No. 33 of 25th July, 1979 based on the Federal Polytechnics Act (Cap 139) and as amended by the Federal Polytechnics (Amendment) Decree No. 5 of 1993 and Federal Polytechnics Act Cap F17 of 2019. The enabling law is backed up with Ministerial guidelines. The guidelines provide the operational details for the management of the Institution.
NATURE, STATUS AND POWERS OF THE POLYTECHNIC
By the enabling law, the Polytechnic is a Tertiary Educational Institution concerned with Technological Training.
FUNCTIONS OF THE POLYTECHNIC
The Functions of the Polytechnic as stated in Section 2(1) would appear to be the Objectives of the Polytechnic but they are rather general than restrictive. These are:
(a) to provide Full Time or Part-Time Courses of Instruction and Training:
(i) in Technology, Applied science, Commerce and Management, and
(ii) the development of Nigeria in areas of Industrial, Land, Agricultural Production and Distribution and for Research in the development and adoption of Techniques as the Council may from time to time determine.
(b) to arrange Conference, Seminars and Study Groups relative to the Fields of learning specified in Paragraph(a) above
(c) to perform such other Functions as in the opinion of the Council may serve to promote the objectives of the Polytechnic.
STATUTORY BODIES IN THE POLYTECHNIC
The enabling Law of the Federal Polytechnics confers Statutory status on the following Bodies, their Functions and offices:
(i) Governing Council
(ii) Academic Board
(iii) Management Committee
(iv) School Board Meetings
(v) Departmental Board Meetings
(vi) Congregation Meeting
(vii) Office of the Rector
(viii) Office of the Registrar
(ix) Office of the Bursar
(x) Office of the Polytechnic Librarian
(xi) Standing Committees of Council
(a) The Finance and General Purposes Committee
(b) Appointments & Promotions Committee
(c) Junior Staff Appointments & Promotions Committee
(d) Students’ Welfare Committee
The implication is that these Bodies, Offices and other organs exist within the System; they cannot be dispensed with. Other important bodies include:
- The Tenders Board
- Board of Survey, e.t.c.
Record of Chairmen of Governing Councils to Date
Since inception, the Polytechnic has had so far, eleven (11) Governing Councils with the following Chairmen:
(i) Chief B.O.B. Alonge – 1981 – 1982
(ii) Chief Afe Babalola – March 1982-Nov. 1984
(iii) Late (Dr) M.A. Falomo – 1984 – 1985
(iv) Mr. J.M. Kondoun – 1986 – 1988
(v) Prof. A.O. Adekola – 1990 – 1993
(vi) Chief Kayode Ige – 2000 – 2003
(vii) Senator Brimmo Yemi Yusuf – 2005 – 2007
(viii) (a) Dr. A.U. Ganduje – April 2009 – Feb. 2011
(b) Alhaji Auwal Aliyu (Ag. Chairman) – Feb. 2011-Oct. 2011
(ix) Hon. Victor Edos Ebomoyi – 2013 – 2015
(x) Chief Austin Eze Edeze (MON) – May 2017- June 2020
(xi) Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo – April, 2021 – date.
Records of Rectors from Inception to Date
1. (a) Prof. Edward Kanu Obiakor (Late) – 1977-1985
(b) Engr. D.I. Atandare (interim Rector) – 1986
2. (a) Engr. G.O.S. Adejinmi – 1986-1990
(b) Mr. V.O. Fabunmi (Interim Rector) – 1990
(c) Engr. (Dr.) O.B. Ekpelle (Interim Rector) – 1990
(d) Dr. P.C. Ojechi (Interim Rector) (Late) – Jan. 1991 – April, 1992
3. Chief Amos B. Ojo (Late) – April, 1992 – May, 14, 2000
4. (a) Prof. Olawumi Ajaja – May 15, 2000 to May 14, 2008
(b) Elder M.O. Oyetunji (Acting) – May 15, 2008 to Dec.18, 2009
5. (a) Dr. T.T. Akande – Dec. 19, 2009 to Dec.19, 2017
(b) Dr. D.H. Oladebeye (Acting) – 20th Dec., 2017 – 22nd Feb., 2018
6 Dr. D.H. Oladebeye (6th Substantive Rector) – 23rd Feb., 2018 To Date
Mission & Vision
PHILOSOPHY OF THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ADO-EKITI
It is noted that there is no official guiding philosophy but there are Mission and Vision Statements for the Federal Polytechnics. The absence of a philosophy may be due to the fact that there was no prior Commission to study the need for Polytechnics and then articulate the guiding philosophy. However, the following are the Mission and Vision statements of the Polytechnic.
MISSION
To train and develop self-reliant manpower for Sustainable technological development of Nigeria
VISION
A technological institution disseminating qualitative and Practical knowledge for meaningful contribution to local And national technological development
NATIONAL MISSION FOR POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
The mission of Polytechnic Education is to produce knowledgeable and innovative graduates, worthy in character and public service for the technological advancement of the country.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To provide technical and practical-oriented training to meet the manpower requirements for the Industrial, Agricultural, Commercial and Economic Development of Nigeria.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- To provide full-time and part-time courses of instruction and training to students in Technology, Applied Science, Commerce, Management and other fields of applied learning relevant to the needs of the development of Nigeria.
- To conduct research and provide consultancy services in the fields listed above among others.
- To organise conferences, seminars and workshops where the results of research activities are disseminated.