Achievers Focus: An Exclusive Interview with the Rector of Minna Institute of Technology and Innovation
ACHIEVERS FOCUS:
The education sector is the backbone of any society’s development. Can you elaborate on the contributions of Minna Institute of Technology and Innovation (MITI) to the development of Niger State and Nigeria at large?
RECTOR MITI:
MITI was conceptualized about 10 years ago with the primary objective of bridging the gap between industry and academia. Over the years, we’ve made significant strides in producing competent and skilled manpower in diverse areas such as Building Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Welding Engineering, and many more.
Our graduates have gone on to occupy various positions in both national and multinational organizations, which is a testament to the quality of education we provide.
Rector MITI
ACHIEVERS FOCUS:
Congratulations on the recent upgrade of MITI to a polytechnic! This development undoubtedly comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities. Are you confident that you have the necessary structure in place to handle these new responsibilities?
RECTOR MITI
Absolutely!Before embarking on this journey, we took stock of our current situation and assessed our capabilities. Although development and improvement are progressive, we.are confident that we have what it takes to run a polytechnic successfully.
We are currently offering National Innovation Diploma programs equivalent to National Diploma, and with this upgrade, we will introduce additional courses that align with the demands of the 21st century. We have designed our institution to meet future requirements, and we are excited to take on this new challenge.
ACHIEVERS FOCUS:
That’s great to hear! Can you give us an idea of the courses that will be introduced by the institution?
RECTOR MITI:
While we don’t want to preempt, I can assure you that we will have courses in emerging areas such as Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy at the Diploma level, and some Management courses, including basic sciences. As a polytechnic, we’ll explore a combination of basic sciences, management, and engineering courses.
Discussions with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) are ongoing, and we will conclude soon. This will enable us to determine which courses we will start with and ensure that we meet the necessary standards.
ACHIEVERS FOCUS:
What about infrastructural development? Will the institution be expanding its facilities?
RECTOR MITI:
Yes, we are excited about the future, and infrastructural development is a key part of our plans. We expect TETFUND and other agencies to complement the efforts of the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, in massive construction of various sizes of infrastructure.
We are optimistic that by 2026, we will see significant progress in this area. We are also working towards relocating to our permanent site, and we’ have initiated discussions with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, on how to access up to 50 hectares of land for future expansion.
ACHIEVERS FOCUS:
Finally, can you tell us a bit about your background and experience?
RECTOR MITI:
I am a 2006 graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, where I also obtained my master’s degree in 2012 and PhD in 2020. Professionally, I have held various positions in the Nigeria Society of Engineers Minna Branch, including serving as the 14th Chairman in 2023.
I am also a COREN ( the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria) registered member and the Secretary of the Engineering Regulations Committee in Niger State. I am confident that my experience and expertise will enable me to lead MITI to greater heights.