ENGR. DR. KAMORU OLUWATOYIN KADIRI: TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF INNOVATION AND TRANSFORMATION AT FEDPOFFA

Leadership, at its finest, is measured not merely by occupying a position of authority, but by leaving indelible footprints that inspire hope, transform communities, and redefine the future. At the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, such a narrative has been unfolding under the dynamic stewardship of Engr. Dr. Kamarudeen Oluwatoyin Kadiri, whose two and a half years as Rector have become a golden era of innovation, research breakthroughs, and institutional transformation.

A man of many firsts, Dr. Kadiri is not only a scholar and seasoned administrator but also a proven innovator who holds three patent rights duly certified by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. His passion for practical solutions and his restless pursuit of ideas that solve real human challenges gave birth to remarkable inventions, among which are the celebrated Okin electric vehicle, motorcycle, and bicycle pioneering efforts that have placed FEDPOFFA on the national and global map of polytechnics that are research-driven.

Infrastructural development has been one of the visible hallmarks of this administration. Within just two and a half years, new workshops, classrooms, and laboratories have sprung up, giving life to academic departments that had yearned for befitting structures. The Department of Food Science and Technology now boasts of a new workshop bakery, while the School of Engineering Technology is blessed with a modern laboratory building fully furnished under TETFUND intervention. At both the mini and permanent campuses, ICT buildings have been rehabilitated, while internal roads have received deserved attention, making movement within the campus smooth and appealing.

The transformation drive has also touched the School of Communication and Media Studies, where complete repairs and renovation works are currently ongoing. This facelift, coming at a time the Polytechnic is investing heavily in its future, is complemented by a ₦300 million investment in the purchase of accreditation materials, modern equipment, and teaching resources across departments. This bold expenditure underscores the Rector’s commitment to meeting and surpassing accreditation requirements while raising the standard of learning and instruction.

But Dr. Kadiri’s vision goes beyond bricks and mortar. He understands that a 21st-century polytechnic must be defined by its collaborations and industrial linkages. It is no surprise therefore that FEDPOFFA was handpicked as the only polytechnic in Nigeria to partner in the Nigeria–Czech Republic Joint Research and Development Project Fund. Locally, the institution has also cemented ties with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, and Summit University, all in a bid to foster cutting-edge research and development.

The Rector has also repositioned the Polytechnic as a hub for the production of essential commodities. From the establishment of a modern bakery producing the now-famous Fedpoffa Bread, a brand that has spread beyond Offa into Ilorin and Osun State—to the production of sachet and bottled water certified by NAFDAC, the Polytechnic has demonstrated the practicality of its entrepreneurial mandate. These ventures not only serve the community but also create an avenue for training students in real-life business models.

Dr. Kadiri has always maintained that people are the heart of any institution. This conviction is evident in the way he has placed premium value on staff welfare, student empowerment, and technological advancement. The Polytechnic Public Relations Unit is now equipped with modern ICT gadgets to meet the demands of a fast-paced digital age. A calligraphy machine has been installed for the printing of students’ certificates, ensuring authenticity and aesthetic quality. Departments like Building Technology now benefit from specialized equipment such as a five-in-one wood lathe machine, further enriching practical training for students.

Academically, the unbundling of schools has opened new horizons. The School of Applied Sciences and Technology, Mass Communication, and Business and Management Studies have been reorganized to create new departments, offering students greater academic focus and specialization. The Entrepreneurial Development Centre has also been repositioned, while a Skills Development Centre has been established to groom students, artisans, and members of the public in practical small-scale enterprises. With the Skill Acquisition and Innovation Training Centre, the Polytechnic now serves as a beacon of hope to the wider community.

Beyond academics and entrepreneurship, the Rector has secured a place of pride for the Polytechnic in the world of sports and intellectual engagement. The hosting of the 2024 Nigerian Polytechnics Games (NIPOGA) was a monumental success, hailed as the most colorful and well-organized in history. The event left behind world-class sports facilities and earned FEDPOFFA the status of a National Sports Centre with membership in the country’s sports development structure.

On the intellectual stage, FEDPOFFA under Dr. Kadiri was recognized at the prestigious Management Development Institute of Singapore, where the Rector received a meritorious award for scholarly brilliance, solution-driven insights, and intellectual leadership during an international panel discussion. In the digital space, the Polytechnic has expanded fibre optic connections and installed Wi-Fi across its campuses, ensuring uninterrupted internet access that supports both teaching and research.

The institution has also gained recognition as a CBT examination centre by the West African Examinations Council and secured approval from the National Board for Technical Education to commence Open Distance and Flexible E-Learning, further proof of its growing relevance and adaptability.

It must be emphasized that these achievements were not made in isolation. They are the result of a collective spirit of dedication and unity within the FEDPOFFA family. The Governing Council, the Principal Officers, the Deputy Rectors for Administration and Academic Affairs, the Registrar, the Bursar, the Polytechnic Librarian, the Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and the Unions;ASUP, SSANIP, NASU, NOTSU have all played pivotal roles. The general staff body and the Student Union Government, alongside the entire student community, have provided overwhelming support and cooperation. Together, they have made the Rector’s vision a living reality.

As FEDPOFFA marks the mid-point of Dr. Kadiri’s tenure, the verdict is resounding and unmistakable: this Rector is a rare gift to the Polytechnic, a reformer who matches vision with action, a leader who is building a legacy that will endure for generations.

The call from the entire community is loud and clear,Great Rector, Great Innovator, Great Builder! March on boldly, do not be distracted, for history is on your side.

This publication is prepared and released by the Information and Public Relations Unit of the Polytechnic, comprising Olayinka Iroye, Ife Olaosebikan, Chidinma Nene, Ruth Ayeni, and Busy Brain, dedicated to ensuring accurate, timely, and professional communication of institutional activities and developments.