The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria has continued to consolidate its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading institutions of Technology, Innovation and Applied Research with a series of landmark achievements that underscore its growing national and international profile in technological advancement, sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
In another major milestone, the institution has emerged as one of the select beneficiary institutions under the Federal Government’s One Product, One Polytechnic (OPOP) Initiative, a strategic intervention aimed at promoting innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and institutional self-reliance across Nigerian Polytechnics. The approval, conveyed through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), provides for the supply of six (6)-seater electronic tricycles and the construction of a modern electric vehicle charging station to support environmentally friendly campus transportation.
Beyond enhancing intra-campus mobility, the project represents another significant investment in clean energy technology and will provide students with practical learning opportunities in electric mobility, renewable energy systems and sustainable engineering.
The intervention is a fitting complement to the Polytechnic’s groundbreaking achievement of successfully designing, developing and unveiling OKIN EV1, Nigeria’s first indigenous electric vehicle. Designed and fabricated by the Polytechnic’s Directorate of Assembly, Fabrication and Commercialisation of Research Products (DAFPACORP), headed by Engr Dr Kehinde Olufemi. The electric vehicle is powered by electricity with a solar-assisted charging system and is capable of travelling approximately 125 kilometres on a single charge.
Equipped with a touchscreen display, reverse camera and solar-powered extension technology, the OKIN EV1 has attracted widespread commendation as a remarkable demonstration of indigenous technological capacity and practical research capable of addressing Nigeria’s transportation and environmental challenges.
Further reinforcing its leadership in clean energy technology, The Federal Polytechnic Offa recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous electric vehicle manufacturers, to accelerate the development and commercialisation of locally engineered electric vehicles.
The collaboration is expected to promote joint research and innovation in electric vehicle engineering, battery technology, renewable energy systems and component fabrication while providing students and researchers with valuable industry exposure and practical training. It will also facilitate technology transfer, innovation commercialisation and the development of specialised manpower required for Nigeria’s growing electric mobility ecosystem.
Significantly, the partnership will establish The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Nigeria as a major Electric Vehicle Charging Hub in Kwara State through the deployment of modern charging infrastructure on the campus. This development aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s clean energy agenda and further positions the institution as a leading centre for electric mobility, sustainable transportation and green technology in Nigeria.
The Polytechnic has equally continued to make remarkable strides in agriculture through its strategic partnership with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA). Under the initiative, over 100 hectares of farmland have already been cultivated on the institution’s main campus to promote mechanised agriculture, enhance food production and strengthen national food security.
The project, which also includes the construction of farmhouses and supporting agricultural infrastructure, is expected to increase agricultural productivity, provide practical training for students, create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to food sufficiency in Offa, Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
These remarkable achievements are among numerous transformative initiatives being championed by the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri, FNIEEE, FNSE, whose visionary leadership has continued to attract strategic Federal Government interventions, industry collaborations and innovative research projects to the institution.
Under Dr Kadiri administration, the Polytechnic has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development, digital transformation, research commercialisation, skills development, entrepreneurship, sports excellence and institutional partnerships, further consolidating its reputation as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing polytechnics and an emerging centre of technological excellence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Management of the Polytechnic expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) and other development partners for their unwavering confidence in the institution.
Management reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the judicious utilisation of every intervention while sustaining the institution’s tradition of excellence in teaching, research, innovation and community service.
As The Federal Polytechnic Offa continues to break new grounds in innovation, clean energy technology, agriculture and sustainable development, the institution remains resolute in its mission of producing globally competitive graduates, developing homegrown technological solutions and making meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation.
Olayinka Iroye
Head, Information and Public Relations
The Federal Polytechnic Offa