It was founded in response to the recognition by the Federal Government that Nigeria is in dire need of Technical and Technological resources, and the empowerment of the citizens to meet the demands of the age. The institution believes in and is firmly committed to a functioning philosophy of education. In consonance with the National Policy on Education, the Polytechnic has clearly stipulated objective, the development and training of manpower is the first. There is research for the developing and adapting of appropriate techniques to problem solving and thirdly service to the immediate as well as larger society. The edict formally establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Bida is Decree No.33 of 1979 (now the Federal Polytechnic Act of 1990, including Decree No 47 of 1989, No 5 of 1993 and other legal documents. Originally the institution was known as the Federal College of Technology, Kano. Following the Federal Government’s decision to transfer the College, she finally moved to Bida on July 27, 1977. The College before 1979, was known as the Bida College of Technology. She was temporarily accommodated at the Government Technical School, Eyagi and later on moved to temporary facilities along Mokwa Road, Bida. The Polytechnic’s first set of students admitted early in 1978 for the 1977/1978 session graduated at the Higher National Diploma (HND) level in August 1981. About 154 out of the 180 admitted made the higher diploma grade. There has been a remarkable growth since the pioneer students graduated. Critical shortage of staff at the early stages of her life forced the Polytechnic to discontinue further enrolment of students into certain courses such a Quantity Surveying and Architectural Technology. The inability of the institution to meet the accreditation requirements of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in the 1985/86 – accreditation exercise let to the rather painful discontinuation, especially at Higher National Diploma level of more courses such as Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Details of courses presently run are available in various other documents)
It is a thing of joy and pride that by the end of 1993/94 session most of the programmes discontinued had been re-accredited by the NBTE and new programmes approved. As at today, all programmes were accredited. At the start of the 1981/82 session, the Polytechnic was structured into four faculties each with a cluster of departments. A Dean headed each faculty. The faculty structure which was to Facilitate the management of the academic affairs of the institution was replaced by the school system in 1984. Each of the existing schools is now headed by a Dean. School of Applied Arts and Sciences (SAAS)
School of Business and Management (SBAM)
School of Engineering Technology (SET)
School of Environmental Studies (SES)
School of Preliminary (Remedial) (SPS)
The School of Preliminary Studies has been in existence since the early 1980’s and its establishment was to assist unqualified candidates from educationally disadvantaged states of the Federation and catchments areas of the Polytechnic to remedy their deficiencies. Thereafter, such students could be registered for diploma programmes. The internal management of the Polytechnic has indeed followed more progress along traditional lines (see Organization Chart). Most decisions of importance are arrived at through dialogues, consultation and the committee system. The Academic Board has statutory responsibility for the Management and direction of the academic work of the Polytechnic. The ultimate responsibility of the proper management of the institution rests with the Governing Council. The Rector is the Chief Academic as well as Administrative Officer. The Rector is assisted by a Deputy Rector and is appointed by a Council for a term of two years, on the recommendation of the Rector. Apart from the five academic Deans of schools, there are other major management (and units) whose functions are directed by appropriate personnel so appointed. The Rectory; the Registry; the Library; the Medical Centre and the Physical Planning and Maintenance Department are the prominent segments.
