The Federal University of Technology, Minna was established on February 1st 1983 along with other Federal Universities in Akure, Makurdi, Owerri and Yola, as specialized Universities. These specialized Universities were established in order to concretized the desired quest for technology development in Nigeria.
Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology (AET) was first created as an option under the Department of Crop Production during 1997/1998 session with only three (3) pioneer students. It became a full-fledged Department in February, 2002 with Dr. R. S. Olaleye as the pioneer Head of Department (HOD). In September, 2006, Prof. K. M. Baba was appointed as HOD, and having won the Deanship election of the School of Agriculture and Agriculture Technology (SAAT), Dr. J. N. Nmadu (now a Professor) was appointed as HOD in February, 2008. Similarly, Dr. R. S. Olaleye (now a Professor) was re-appointed in September, 2012 before Dr. L. Tanko (now Professor) took over as HOD in October, 2014. In 2014, approval was given by the University Senate to bifurcate AET Department into the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management (AEC) and Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AER). Although, the take-off was delayed by December, 2017 the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Bala approved the immediate take – off of the two departments. Prof. J. H. Tsado (now Dean, SAAT) was appointed as the pioneer HOD of AER. In 2019, Prof. A. J. Jirgi was appointed the HOD of AEC and served in this role up until 12th January, 2023. The appointment of Associate Professor M. A. Ndanitsa to the position of the HOD took effect on the 12th January, 2023.
(The AEC Department of Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTM).). Since its establishment, has continued to grow to a greater height and has been very consistent in producing graduates of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Degree in Agriculture who become notable Agriculturists in the country. The Department is currently housed in the phase III building of the SAAT, together with other Departments such as Animal Production, Crop Production, Horticulture, Food Science and Nutrition, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Soil Science and Land Management, Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology.
Vision
The AEC Department aspires to provide a world class environment for high quality academic and technological training in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management discipline suitable for the development and advancement of high caliber manpower that will generate suitable improvements in all areas of Agricultural economics. The vision of AEC is to be one of the leading Departments that offer innovative and excellent teaching and research in Nigeria and beyond.
Mission
To prepare ground for manpower training for both Graduates and Postgraduates who are job creators that possess up-to-date knowledge, skills and confidence in Agricultural Economics and related fields, and be involved in Community, State, Regional, National and Global issues i.e committed to producing competent graduates equipped with sufficient sense of reasoning, evaluation, communication, entrepreneurial, agrieprienuership and analytical skills in order to enable them lead, adapt and conduct excellent researches that will generate new ideas and contribute to the overall economic growth and development of Nigeria.
Dr. Ndanitsa, Mohammed Attahiru, FCAI, FIMC was born on the 4th of April, 1966 to the family of Alhaji Muhammadu Ndanitsa (Late Etsuyankpa/village-head of Wuya Kede) in Kede Tifin District of Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State. He started his primary education in Anguwan Waje Primary School, Abuja (now Suleja) in 1970, but completed in Kofar Egbogi primary school, Bida in 1979. He attended Government Secondary School, Abuja (now Suleja) between 1979 and 1984. He studied at the Zungeru College of Advanced Studies (ZUCAS) now Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru between 1984 and 1985, and later proceeded to the School of Basic Studies (SBS) of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for his Basic Studies (IJMB) between 1985 and 1986. He was offered Admission into ABU to read B.Sc Economics in the same year (1986), but instead decided to accept admission at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto to read B.Sc (General Agriculture) in the Faculty of Agriculture. He graduated in 1994. He had his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi between 1994 and 1995. Ndanitsa acquired a M.Sc degree in 2005 at the prestigious University of Ilorin, in the field of Agricultural Economics after he obtained Ph.D in Agricultural Economics at the Bayero University, Kano in 2014. Ndanitsa also obtained a Professional Diploma in Education from the Niger State College of Education Minna in 2019. Other Academic Awards include, Best Graduating Student Prize (1994), Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Management Consultants and Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Accountants.
In terms of working career/experience, he was a Demacartor (National Population Bureau, Abuja, 1984 to 1988), Field Officer (National Population Commission, Niger State: 1991 – 1992), Education Officer (Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Government Girls College, Bida Division: 1995 – 2001), Lecturer (Federal University of Technology, School of Agric. And Agric Technology, 2001 to Date). Administrative responsibilities held nclude; Labour officer (FGGC, Bida; 1995 – 2000), Cooperative Coordinator/Clubs and Society Coordinator (FGGC, Bida: 2000 – 2001); Departmental Secretary (AEX, SAAT, FUTM: 2001 -2004), Sub-Dean/SIWES Coordinator (SAAT, FUTM: 2010 – 2014).
Ndanitsa, Mohammed Attahiru is also an activist who believes in the struggle for the welfare of mankind. In this regard, he has held union positions including Branch Public Relations Officer, PRO, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUTM Branch: 2002-2003, Branch Investment Secretary, IVS (ASUU FUTM, 2003 – 2004), Branch Internal Auditor, IA (ASUU FUTM, 2009-2012), Branch Secretary (ASUU FUTM, 2013-2015) and Branch Chairperson (ASUU FUTM, 2016-2021). He is also the NLC Media Chairman and Political Commission (Niger State Council, 2019 to Date).
Ndanitsa, was appointed into the services of the Federal University of Technology, Minna as a Graduate Assistant on 3rd October, 2001 and was confirmed on the 3rd October, 2003. He is currently the Head of Department, and an Associate Professor in the Department. He has supervised several Undergraduate Projects and Postgraduate thesis and continues to contribute positively to the development of the Department in teaching, research and community service. He has been assessed by the University and found appointable to the position of full Professor of Agricultural Economics, but awaiting for External Assessment. He is also a consultant to many organizations and a reviewer to many publishing agencies. He has attended many Academic and Professional Conferences at both National and International levels, and has several (over 135 publications) in journals and book of proceedings of National and International repute. He is a member of many Professional bodies namely: Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists (NAAE), Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN), Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), Weed Science Society of Nigeria (WSSN). He is married with five (5) children and loves playing football, driving and caring for the needy.
