Federal University of Technology Minna
Federal University of Technology Minna

Agricultural and Bio Resources Engineering Department

About the Department

The Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering was established in 1983 as Department of Agricultural Engineering.  The degree of B. Eng. (Agricultural Engineering) was approved for the department in 1983.  In 2008, the name of the department was changed to Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering. The first set of graduands passed out in 1989. The Department now offers approved undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes up to Ph.D. level.

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Vision

To be a world class centre of excellence committed to the development and improvement of agricultural resources through engineering for economic, social and cultural well-being.

Mission

The Department is committed to the Advancement of Engineering knowledge in Agriculture through excellent teaching, learning and research and to empower our graduates to be self-reliant.

Agricultural & Bio-resources Engineering

Agricultural & Bio-resources Engineering is an interdisciplinary program that integrates engineering, design and the biological sciences. It is a unique profession that applies engineering principles to the enhancement and sustainability of the world’s natural resources. Agricultural & Bio-resources Engineers seek solutions to problems that involve plants, animals and the environment.

Farm Power & Machinery

Farm power is used for operating different types of machinery like tillage, planting, plant protection, harvesting and threshing machinery, and other stationary jobs like operating irrigation equipment, threshers/ sellers/ cleaners/ graders, etc.

Agricultural Crop Processing & Storage

Agricultural Crop Processing & Storage Processing is the discipline that takes agricultural products as the research object, based on biology and engineering, studies the basic science and engineering technical problems, like agricultural products storage and transportation, processing and the comprehensive

Soil and Water Engineering

Soil & Water Engineering involves the interactions of species with each other and with their environment. The interactions may be affected by environmental contaminants and/or may be used by humans for productive purposes.

Food Engineering

Food Engineering combines training in technology and engineering with food science with the aim of producing graduates who have technical skills and a capacity for innovation in the food industry

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering was established in 1983 as Department of Agricultural Engineering. The degree of B. Eng (Agric. Engineering) was approved for the department in 1983.  In 2008, the name of the department was changed to Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering.   The first set of graduands passed out in 1989.  The Department now offers approved undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes up to PhD level.  The Staff strength rose from just three (3) in 1987 to thirty eight (38) i.e. (27 academic staff and 11 Non-academic Staff) in 2014.  The department encourages research activities and training for its staff while emphasis is placed on practical exposure for its students.

Engr. Dr. DAUDA, Solomon Musa was born in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. He attended Central Primary School Uba, Borno State, Nigeria for First School Leaving Certificate, Government College Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria for Senior School Certificate Examination, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria where he graduated with B.Eng. He also attended Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria for his M.Eng and later proceeded to Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia where he obtained PhD in 2014 (Farm Power and Machinery). Engr. Dr. S. M Dauda is married and blessed with Children. He has graduated over 40 both undergraduate and Postgraduate students and also 50 scholarly publications to his credit.

I know that though man may labour, it is not given to him to determine the final outcome of his actions. I am therefore a firm believer in divine providence in spite of a personal commitment to diligence and a strong determination to see any duty or assignment through. My idea of leadership is one that serves through perseverance, personal integrity and justice. I have been guided by these principles in all my professional, social and religious involvement. Professionally, I have attempted to contribute my own little quota to the agricultural mechanization of rice, soybean, sugarcane, palmyra, etc. in Nigeria and also that of kenaf in Malaysia. My modest efforts in research have resulted in scientific publications of which is being sought by colleagues and libraries all over the World. I hold the view that I still possess the ability to learn and motivate others and the potentials to attain greater heights, God willing.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING ADMISSION INTO THE PROGRAMME

For entry into various departmental programmes in the School of Infrastructure, Process Engineering and Technology (SIPET), 100 level is the qualifying year. At this level, engineering students take courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and General Studies run by the School of Physical Sciences (SPS). For students to proceed from 100 level to 200 level, Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 is required. In addition, he/she must obtain 8 credits of Mathematics, 8 credits of Physics including at least two theory courses, 6 credits of Chemistry. Common courses are offered to all 200 level students of SIPET, while 300 level students and above offer core courses and electives peculiar to their various Departments.

Matriculation Requirements

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

Candidates are required to obtain five (5) credits at O’ level in not more than two sittings, in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and any other science subject. (e.g. Further Mathematics, Geography, Technical Drawing, Building Technology, Biology or Agricultural Science).  In addition, they should obtain scores higher than or equal to the JAMB university admission minimum. In addition, candidates are expected to obtain a minimum score at the University Post UTME examination.

Direct Entry

Candidates must meet the O’Level requirements in UTME above and obtain a minimum score at the University Post UTME examination.

Also, one of the following additional qualifications is required.

  • A’ level GCE, HSC or IJMB with good passes in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
  • National Diploma (ND) in Civil Engineering with a minimum of upper credit from a recognized NBTE accredited polytechnic. Candidates who meet these requirements are admitted into the 200 level.
  • Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering with a minimum of upper credit from a recognized NBTE accredited polytechnic. Candidates who meet these requirements are admitted into the 300 level.

Programme Structure

The Programme workload for students includes combination of: the conventional formal university Lectures; Tutorials; Practical sessions; Laboratory work, Seminars and Project.  Furthermore, periodically at 200, 300, 400 and 500 levels, ABE students will go on excursion to related industries for industrial experience. At 500 level, students are expected to carry out independent project in their areas of specialization.  

ABE students will be evaluated through:

  1. Continuous Assessment which is made up of various Assignments and Tests. It forms 40% of the student’s Evaluation.
  2. Examination: This makes up 60% of the Total Student’s Evaluation.
  3. In order to qualify for a course examination, a student shall be required to achieve 75% attendance of all the scheduled classes for the course.

Duration of the Programme

The Bachelor of Engineering Programme in the programme is normally a five-year Programme (100-500 levels). However, direct entry candidates normally spend four years (A’ level, and OND Candidates) or three years (HND candidates).

The Programme is structured in such a way that all engineering students offer the same basic courses at 100 and 200 levels in order to prepare them for the Engineering profession. The 300 to 500 level courses are more detailed and focus towards training in the programme.

A student cannot stay beyond one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the normal duration of the Programme (i.e. 7.5, 6 and 4.5 sessions for 5, 4 and 3 year Programme respectively).