HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The University of Abuja was established in January, 1988 and academic work started in 1990.
Its establishment was aimed at forging national unity by providing a conductive environment for
learning and interaction for the youths from all part of Nigeria. The Senate of the University at
its 92nd regular meeting held on 27th October, 2004approved the establishment of the
Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering with effect from 2005/2006
session. The Department runs a 5-year degree programme leading to the award of the
Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng) degree in Mechanical Engineering.

The academic activities commenced with an initial intake of nine (9) undergraduate students
into 100 level in 2005/2006 and by 2006/2007 the Department had seven pioneer academic
staff (1 No Professor, 2 Nos Senior lecturers, 2 Nos Lecturer 2, 1 No Lecturer, 1 No Lecturer II
and 1 No Graduate Assistant) NS 2 Nos Technical staff. Engr. Dr. Ishaya Musa Dagwa was
appointed the pioneer Head of Department with effect from 1st June 2007 under the pioneer
Dean of Engineering (Engr. Prof. F. O. Akinbode. In the year 2008 more staff were recruited to
the department, these include: 1 No Professor, 4 Nos Lecturer II. 1 No Senior Technologist and
1 No Technologist II.

At inception, the Department of Mechanical engineering among others was situated in the Mini
Campus at Gwagwalada. However, in September, 2011 the Department of Mechanical
Engineering alongside with other three Departments in the Faculty was directed to move to the
Engineering workshop building at the Main Campus along Giri-Airport road, Abuja.

The Engineering programmes among others in the University of Abuja failed both the NUC and COREN
accreditations, which led to the stoppage of admission into the progammes. Hence, with effect from
2010/2011 academic session no candidate was admitted into the B. Eng. (Mech). As at 2011/2012
academic session a total of seventy-two (72) undergraduate students had enrolled into B. Eng. (Mech)
Programme. In year 2013, the students in the 300 and 400 levels in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering were farmed out to the University of Ilorin because of the accreditation challenges. While
the 500 A (7th year 8 students), B(6th year-3 students), and C(5th year-20 students) level students were
directed to go to Federal University Technology, Minna for one year intensive training as part of their
graduation requirement in accordance with the directive given by the National Universities Commission.
Thereafter, they would come back to University of Abuja for their graduation and be awarded University
of Abuja degree. Following the Resource Assessment Visit by the NUC in November, 2012, approval was
granted by the NUC to establish Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) programme in a letter dated 5th
February, 2013 ref NUC/Es/475/VOL.17/130 without prejudice to the existing students.

Over the years, the quality and quantity of staffing in the Department had improved. At present the
academic staff consist of 1 No Professor, 3 Nos Senior lecturers, 8 Nos Lecturer I, and 1 No Graduate
Assistant) and 2 Nos Technologists (Principal Technologist and a Technologist 1) and 2 Nos other
Principal technologists seconded to the Faculty Workshop.

Slogan of the Department of Mechanical Engineering

To move is mechanical- a sign of life and progress.
We move the world that is life.
No mechanical no engineering, engineering is tool for human development.