ABOUT
Federal University of Technology, Minna (or FUTMinna) is a degree awarding Federal University of Technology established to equip Nigerians with practical application of technology in real life experience.
This means that the University specializes in technology education. It was founded in 1983 by then Military Federal Government after a decree to establish such schools was passed.
The University main campus occupies about 10,650 hectares and it is situated along Bida Road. Major decision making bodies of the school are the University Council and the Senate.
Just like similar Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria, at FUTMinna, faculties are regarded as schools, and the University has 9 schools which include School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Information and Communication Technology, School of Environmental Technology, School of Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, School of Education, School of Post Graduate Studies, and School of Pre-Degree Studies.
The University which had a student population of 662 in 1990 now has over 15,000 (both undergraduates and postgraduate students) and the staff strength of 698.
Federal University of Technology, Minna has achieved great feats in technology since its establishment, and they include gearing system of crane hoist drive, motor-car crankshaft, irrigation models amongst other things.
FUTMinna’s motto is Technology for Empowerment. The University has a Chancellor who presides over the school and comes whenever there are major ceremonies like convocations, but the Vice Chancellor oversees the daily activities of the school.
The Vice Chancellor of the University is Professor Musbau Adewumi Akanji. Their students are known as Futmites.
ACCREDITATION
The University has been designated as Centre of Excellence in Computer Science by National University Commission (NUC) which is a Nigerian government commission saddled with the responsibility of accrediting schools which meet certain standards, and disaccrediting schools that do not reach the stipulated standard.
Also, the courses offered at Federal University of Technology, Minna are fully accredited by concerned regulatory bodies including NUC.
NUC officials visited the school in December 2014 to do a litmus test on the departments and faculties of the school, and as expected, they passed the test.
The team of NUC officials was led by Prof. Ogezi who commended the school for their efforts in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and technological know-how.
SCHOOL ADDRESS
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Main Campus: Gidan-Kwanu, Minna-Bida
P.M.B. 65, Niger State
Email: Info@futominna.com
Website: www.futminna.edu.ng
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
Federal University of Technology, Minna does not offer all the courses that most conventional Nigerian universities offer because it is a technology driven institution.
Here is a list of the accredited courses at FUTMinna:
School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology:
Entrepreneurship and Business Studies, Project Management Technology, and Transport Management Technology
School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
Agricultural Economics and Extension, Animal Production, Crop Production, Horticulture, and Soil Science
School of Natural and Applied Sciences
Food and Science Technology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer with Statistics, Geology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics with Statistics, Microbiology, Physics, Zoology, and Geography
School of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Agricultural and Bioresourcesal Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Telecommunication Engineering
School of Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology
Water Resources Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology
School of Environmental Technology
Architecture, Building, Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Surveying and Geoinformatics, and Urban and Regional Planning
School of Information and Communication Technology
Information and Media Technology, Cyber Security Science and Computer Science
School of Technology Education
Industrial and Technology Education, Mathematics Education, Physics Education, Mathematics Education, Physics Education, Geography Education, Biology Education, Chemistry Education, and Library Information Technology
HOSTELS AND FEES
Just like other universities in Nigeria, FUTMinna offers hostel accommodation to its female and female students alike.
All interested candidates are advised to log on to the University portal on futminna.edu.ng/index.php/component/k2/item/197 and follow the instructions.
Note that all payments are made online and it requires also that student pays their admission acceptance fee is N20, 250 only (for 2015/16 academic session) before choosing and paying for hostel accommodation.
For students who encountered issues during this operation, their complaints should be forwarded to eportal@futminna.edu.ng. The school fees is N30,000 (though not fixed).
RANKING
Federal University of Technology, Minna has been ranked by many bodies both within and outside Nigeria, and their ranking has not been bad.
For example, according to Webometrics (which is an international university rating body) statistics and published on www.webometrics.info/en/africa/nigeria, FUTMinna came in at number 11 as Best University of Nigeria and 4802 in the world. This clearly shows that the school is doing well in Nigeria and all over the world.
POSTGRADUATE COURSES
Just like similar Federal Universities of Technology across Nigeria, FUTMinna offers pre-degree, Postgraduate Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses.
There are certain requirements every interested candidate for each postgraduate course must meet before they are considered for admission to the University.
They are listed below.
Meanwhile, application forms cost N10,250 only.
Post Graduate Diploma: Interested candidates must have 5 Credit passes in O’ Level (including English and mathematics) and any other relate subjects in their courses of choice in the University in NOT more than 2 sittings.
Higher National Diploma (HND) of at least lower credit from a recognized polytechnic. Finally, a candidate with Pass Grade is not accepted for admission
Master’s Degree: Interested candidates must have 5 Credit passes in O’ Level (including English and mathematics) and any other relate subjects in their courses of choice in the University and are expected to have completed their compulsory NYSC.
A good BSC from a recognized university with second class honours in a related intended field of study in FUTMinna.
Also, 3rd Class Honours holder with about 3 years’ experience in relevant field may be considered. In some other departments, such candidate may be required to sit for an exam.
A Bachelor’s Degree of PGD (lower Credit but higher than 2.50 0n a scale of 5.00) from any recognized university, HND (lower) and 1 year graduation experience may be considered.
Candidates with Pass Grades are NOT qualified. Where a candidate is required to take an examination, he or she will be charged additional N500.00 for the exam.
In all cases, Postgraduate School Board makes all the decisions.
Directorate of Philosophy: All interested candidates must possess a Master’s Degree from a recognized university with a CPGA of not less than 3.50 on a scale of 5.00 and/or 60% minimum average score or (B Grade).
And finally, any applicant whose background is perceived weak for intended course of study may be advised to study another course by the discretion of the department within the approved guidelines/regulations of the Postgraduate School.
You may visit the school website on www.futminna.edu.ng/index.php/admissions/postgraduate-students for more information on available courses.
GRADING SYSTEM
Just like many Nigerian universities, FUTMinna uses the NUC standard for grading its students. This means that for NUC programmes, grading is done on a scale of 5.00. The rundown is shown below:
First Class Division: (100 – 70 with 5.00 – 4.50 CGPA)
Second Class Upper Division: (69 – 60 with 4.49 – 3.50 CGPA)
Second Class Lower Division: (49 – 45 with 3.49 – 2.40 CGPA)
Third Class Division: (49 – 45 with 2.39 – 1.50)
Notice that NUC has since abolished the Pass Grade in Nigerian universities. This means that any student who scores below 45 in exam is assumed to have failed it.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
All prospective UTME candidates of Federal University of Technology, Minna must compulsorily sit for the Computer Based Post UTME Screening Test before they are considered for admission.
Candidates from UTME must score 180 and above depending on the course of choice. Please note that these scores are subject to change from time to time. And to be considered for admission, all candidates must have 5 Credit passes (including English Language and Mathematics) and subjects relevant to their course of choice in NOT more than 2 sittings.
To be eligible to sit for this CBT, you must choose FUTMinna in your JAMB form or make a change of school at a cost of N1,000. All candidates who have been invited for the screening must come in person at the Main Campus in Minna.
Electronic gadgets like GMS are not allowed in the exam hall as seized gadgets may not be returned to their owners, and must also come printout of their registration forms.
Furthermore, Direct Entry candidates must also possess 5 Credit passes in O’ Level with minimum of Lower Credit in OND, NCE, HND, etc.
All awaiting result candidates are NOT eligible to participate. These students must meet compulsory requirements approved by the senate. Furthermore, all candidates who wish to submit their application online must print out their acknowledgement copies.
DURATION OF STUDIES
Because of its unique nature and based on the fact that it’s strictly a Federal University of Technology, ALL courses in FUTMinna take 5-year duration period.
Also, all freshmen irrespective of their departments do the same courses in 100L.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): Fulltime students spend a minimum of 3 semesters while part-time students spend a minimum of 4 semesters. The maximum period allowed for fulltime is 6 semesters and 8 semesters for part-time students.
They are also expected to have a minimum GPA of1.50 every semester or the programme will be terminated.
Master’s Degree: Fulltime students spend a minimum of 3 semesters while part-time students spend a minimum of 4 semesters. The maximum period allowed for fulltime is 6 semesters and 8 semesters for part-time students.
They are also expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.50 every semester or the programme will be terminated.
Ph.D Programmes: They last a minimum of 6 semesters (36 months) for fulltime students and 10 semesters (60 months) for part-time students.
TRANSCRIPT
As part of continued efforts to serve Futmites better, Federal University of Technology, Minna has designed an electronic platform where people can place order of transcript through ETX-NG Network.
This enables all ordered transcripts to be sent electronically to the schools were they are needed. Through this platform, Futmites don’t have to visit the University for their Transcripts. Visit http://www.etx-ng.com/futminna for more information and the make payment for necessary fees (which is subject to change).
Note that applying for your transcripts online through this medium attracts additional administrative charges. Click on Register if you wish to apply through this means to get started now.
ALUMNI
Because of the nature of the University, Futmites are always seen to be captains of industries, technocrats, few politicians, sportsmen, renowned engineers and others which are rarely exposed to the public glare.
They are often seen in Engineeriung firms. For example, Engr Dauda Musa (Senior Consultant, Afri-Project Consortium).