History

History

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology of University of Ilorin was founded in September 1978 with the primary goal of creating an institutional framework for the training of Engineers for the technical growth of Nigeria and the world at large. The Faculty provides a conducive environment not just for teaching undergraduate engineering students, but also for academic staff to undertake research. As a result, the Faculty provides postgraduate training to students through master’s and doctoral programmes.

The Faculty has been governed by eminent scholars, among whom was Prof. V.O.S. Olunloyo (1978-1980), who served as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty. He was succeeded by Prof. I.E. Owolabi who served as the Dean from 1980-1984. Successive Deans include Prof. B.J. Olufeagba (1984-1988); Prof. S.O. Adeyemi (1988-1990); Prof. J.S.O. Adeniyi (1990-1994); Prof. F.L. Bello-Ochende (1994-1998); Prof. K.C. Oni (1998-2001); Prof. O.A. Adetifa (2001-2005); Prof. B.F. Sule (2005-2009); Prof. J.O. Olorunmaiye (2009-2013); Prof. Y.A. Jimoh (2013-2017); Prof. D.S. Ogunniyi (2017-2021), Prof. O.A. Lasode (2021-2023), and Prof. J. K. Odusote who assumed the position in 2023 is the current Dean.

Senior Registry staff members act as Faculty Officers, supporting the Dean in the day-to-day management of the Faculty. Their principal function within the Faculty is to facilitate student activities from admission to graduation and staff activities from recruitment to retirement. Registry staff who have served as Faculty Officers include Mr. E. Koledade, Mr. O. Adido, Mrs. Gloria Anyatonwu, Mr. S.S. Sinkaiye, Mr. Akin Ibosiola, Mrs. T.O. Okoro, Mrs. F.I. Olutola, Mr. K. Oloworaran, Mr. J.S. Mohammed, Mr. A.K. Rufai, Mrs. M.A. Egbewole, Mr. K.K. Babamale, Mrs. S.T. Saka-Lawal, Mrs. Azeezat Q. Ibrahim, Mr. Musbau Jimoh, Mr. O. A. Ohworisi, and Mrs. Dorcas D. Adu who is currently serving as the Faculty Officer.

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin started with three (3) departments and a supporting unit (the Central Engineering Workshop). The first 3 departments were: Civil Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering Department, and Mechanical Engineering Department.

Three (3) academic staff, three (3) administrative staff, a messenger/cleaner, and a driver comprised the initial staffing of the Faculty, while the first cohort of admitted students numbered 51. The Central Engineering Workshop was established in 1979 to offer essential practical, hands-on training to all engineering students and to showcase the professional aspects of the engineering programs. Presently, it functions as a support unit for the academic and research endeavours of the Faculty. The inaugural graduating class, consisting of 449 students (435 males and 14 females), completed their studies in the 1982/83 academic year.

In 1982, the Department of Agricultural Engineering was established and added to the academic programs as the fourth department. The departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials and Metallurgical Engineering were established in the 2008/2009 and 2010 academic years, respectively. Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Department, the seventh department, was established in 2013. The departments of Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering were established in August 2014 and 2015, respectively. During the 2014/2015 academic year, the Department of Food Engineering was established as the Faculty of Engineering and Technology’s tenth department.