INTRODUCTION

Internal Audit is an independent appraisal activity established by the management of an organization as a service to it. It independently and objectively examines, evaluates and reports on the adequacy of internal controls and the organization’s risk management processes as a contribution to proper economic, efficient and effective use of resources.
The Internal Audit Unit, hence, exists to examine and appraise the Uniform Accounting System of Nigeria of Nigerian Federal University ensuring that the University achieves her set objectives at a minimum cost and in accordance with laid down rules and regulations of management, standard Accounting practice and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

MANDATE

For Internal Financial and other controls to be very effective operation of the system very efficient and fraud and management of funds discouraged, the following mandate has been prescribed.

1.            Carrying on of the University’s business in an orderly and efficient manner;

2.            Ensuring adherence to the Council’s and Senate’s policies.

3.            Safeguarding the institutional assets.

4.            Securing, as far as possible, the completeness and accuracy of the records;

5.            Carrying out of pre-payment audit examination of all payment vouchers as well as post-audit verification of all recurrent and capital payments in line with the expenditure control efforts of the University’s management;

6.            Examination of system of internal checks and controls to ensure the highest possible standard of efficiency and accuracy;

7.            Examining all the university accounts, books and other records and other documents and making periodic reports to the Vice-Chancellor;

8.            Notifying the Vice-chancellor of any financial irregularity, or suspected irregularity affecting funds, stores, facilities of the University without delay; taking follow-up actions as may appear reasonable to secure remedial actions;

9.            Having right to interview, query and receive (orally or in written) any explanations(s) as deemed appropriate for any assignment.

10.          Having access, at all time, to the books documents, facilities, etc of the Universities;

MISSION STATEMENT

To review accounting, financial and others operations of the University as a basis for protective and constructive service to the Management.

VISION

To use or develop an appropriate audit software as a working tool for positioning the Unit strategically for its role in best practice geared specifically towards the University’s needs and expectation.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Within the context of our Mission and Vision, the Internal Audit Unit will pursue the following goals and objectives;

GOALS

i.              Computerizing audit functions;

ii.             Training and re-training the Unit’s staff to get more exposed to and acquainted with their duties.

iii.            Organizing other trainings for Deans, HODs, Director etc with respect to having an understanding of the general and specific requirements of audit checks and other internal control procedures;

iv.           Posting of the Unit’s staff to all Schools to serve as Desk Officers. They would be allocated an office where they carry out their duties for at least, 3 days.

The rest day would be spent writing/making reports in the Unit.

OBJECTIVES

i.              To ensure the existence of the University’s financial regulations issued by the authority of the University Governing Council, so  long as they are not inconsistent with any existing laws of Nigeria;

ii.             To ensure the application of the Annual Budget of Income and Expenditure on Revenue Accounts and payments on Capital Accounts as may be approved by the Governing Council or Senate or any of their standing ad hoc committee pursuant to any laws and statutes which may be in force.

iii.            To ensure the University’s books and records have been subjected to appropriate internal audit procedures and that the annual accounts have been properly extracted therefrom; To ensure budgetary controls efforts such that the authority to approve all expenditure of the University funds shall be subject to appropriate restrictions as will ensure public accountability and smooth flow of activities in accordance with the Council approval;

iv.           To determine whether the accounts comply in all material respects with the requirements of the University’s policies;

v.            To review the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of operations and of the functioning of non-financial controls;

vi.           To carry on special investigations;

vii.          To review the implementation of corporate policies, plans and procedures of the University;

viii.         To assess that the risks of the University are identified and minimized time to time;

ix.           To ensure the University’s books and records have been subjected to appropriate internal audit procedures and that the annual accounts have been properly extracted therefrom;

x.            To ensure budgetary controls efforts such that the authority to approve all expenditure of the University funds shall be subject to appropriate restrictions as will ensure public accountability and smooth flow of the activities in accordance with the Council’s approval;

xi.           To determine whether,  the accounts comply in all materials respects with the requirements of the University’s policies;

xii.          To review the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of operations and of the functioning of non-financial controls;

xiii.         To carry on special investigations;

xiv.         To review the implementation of corporate policies, plans and procedures of the University;

xv.          To assess that the risk of the University are identified and minimized.

xvi.         To ensure the University’s books and records have been subjected to appropriate internal audit procedures and that the annual accounts have been properly extracted therefrom;

xvii.        To ensure budgetary controls efforts such that the authority to approve all expenditure of the University funds shall be subject to appropriate restrictions as will ensure public accountability and smooth flow of activities in accordance with the Council’s approval;

xviii.       To determine whether the accounts comply in all material respect with the requirements of the University’s policies;

xix.         To review the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of operations and of the functioning of non-financial controls;

xx.          To carry on special investigation;

xxi          To review the implementation of corporate policies, plan and procedures of the University;

To assess that the risks of the University are identified and minimized.

See Our Staff

The period under review has been full of activities. Activities that are milestone, that will bring monumental and positive changes to this university. I therefore wish to commend the Management and leadership this great institution for these achievements. Notable amongst these are;

CONVOCATION CEREMONY

It is noteworthy that convocation ceremony has become a regular event in the history of the university since my assumption of duty as the 6th Vice Chancellor of this great institution in its 27 years of existence. This is a clear indication of a gradual restoration of stability in our academic calendar. The 10^th Convocation Ceremony for the Award of degrees (academic and honorary), diplomas, certificates and prizes took place as scheduled, 3-5^th june, 2010. It was adjudged successful as projects were commissioned and for the first time in the history of the university, the award was made in two days, as it is conventionally done in most “first and second generation” universities. This is an indication that Federal University of Technology, Minna has come of age and has joined the league of big universities graduating over two thousand students in one session. We have had two such ceremonies in less than three years of this administration. It is our sincere hope to continue to improve on this towards a comprehensive normalization of the calendar.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

It is noteworthy that the university is pursuing vigorously its Staff Training and Development Programme, and is taking full advantage of the support of the Education Tax Fund (ETF) assistance. A lot of our staff is undergoing training for higher degress both within and outside Nigeria, particularly in Belarus, Malaysia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Turkey up to Ph.D level sponsorship to conference is now a common denominator in all schools. The hitherto skewed distribution of conference attendance amongst school is now tending towards normality.

ACCREDITATION

This administration has fully supported programmes to ensure full Accreditation of programmes both professional and academic. The National University Commission (NUC) Accreditation Exercise of four-engineering and two –environmental programmes has come and gone, with very positive outcome. For the first time, the university has recorded 100% Full Accreditation in all its academic programmes. The professional accreditation of Building Programmes under the aegis of Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and that of Architecture Programme under the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) took place with verdict of Full Accreditation received.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

In order to rejuvenate and reinvigorate service delivery, the University Management has just appointed a young communication and information technology engineer with track record in ICT as Deputy Director. He has since assumed duty to manage the affairs of ITS with a renewed vigor. This is with the intention to strengthen the training, research and development services in IT. We thank the immediate management of ITS for its modest contribution. It is noteworthy that the Fibre Optic Cabling Project of both Gidan Kwano and Bosso Campus through STEP-B. Project is very much in progress. The Wi-fi Connectivity of Gidan Kwano campus is being completed.

EXAMINATION

The Post-UTME examination is very much in progress using the latest technology the Computer Based Testing (CBT). The results of the examination were released within one week. Currently the university conducts 100-200 examination using CBT to promote timely release of results.

RESEARCH

We have advanced this concept to Research, Development and commercialization (R&D&C) and introduced a concept of 3Cs of competition, cooperation and collaboration in our research culture. Seven syndicate groups have been identified for competitive and join research as follows; i) Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Research Group, ii) Environmental Research Group, iii) Energy Research Group, iv) Space Research Group, v) ICT Research Group, vi) Human Capacity Research Group and vii) Food Security Research Group. We are strategizing to focus our researches on developmental activities that will impact positively on the quality of life of the ordinary Nigerian. The University Board of Research has keyed very strong into national research strategy. We are involved in the on-going research initiative of the Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria to promote research in agriculture.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

The University through STEP-B Project is an emerging Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, with especial interest in vaccine and drug development. The Centre has been allocated the whole quadrangle of the former Technology Complex as laboratories and office accomondation in the former Senate Building both in Bosso campus. It is hoped that activities will soon resume at the centre.

COMMONITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

The Town and Gowon interaction is very much alive as the University can now boast of regular Inaugural Lectures from very senior academic colleagues the Professors. Similarly, the University Seminar Series and workshops have been on-course. We concluded and in-house workshop on Institutional Productivity and Quality Assurance to promote the culture of excellence in service delivery. A seminar on Research and Education Network was held to set the agenda for academic and research networking amongst institutions.

MAJOR VISISTS

During this period, notable visitors to the university include;

• Princeton University, USA team visit in relation to Global Institute on Bio-Exploration (GIBEX) and STEP-B Project.
• The GTZ CEFE Programme certificate of FUT Minna Staff.
• The Nigerian Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria sensitization visit.
• The West African Climate Change Service Centre and Adaptive Land Use Inspection visit.
• Research and Education Network team sensitization visit.

Thank you,

SERVICOM is the engine for service delivery. It is a unit under the Vice Chancellors office made up of the following members of staff: The Focal Officer,  Deputy Focal Officer, Service improvement Desk Officer, Complaint/Customer Care Desk Officer, Charter Desk Officer and two support staff. The unit also has some members of BRIGADE among the University staff and Students.

PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy behind establishment of SERVICOM unit of Federal University of Technology, Minna is to monitor service delivery, maximizing potentials and minimizing resources to achieve the needed output in terms of effective and timely service delivery in the work place.
VISION
To make FUT, Minna one of Nigeria’s leading Universities and a Centre of excellence through service delivery, punctuality to work, presence on seats, performance and citizens’ satisfaction.
MISSION
To ensure effective and efficient service delivery in all sectors of the University.
MANDATE
Monitoring  and ensuring service delivery, complaints handling, conducting opinion poll on effectiveness of our service delivery and organizing sensitization workshop on how to improve service delivery.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
SERVICOM unit of Federal University of Technology, Minna, whose responsibility is to have effective and timely service delivery have the underlisted as its major activities:

• Monitoring service delivery in all service windows of the University
• Receive and address complaints from all citizens of Federal University of
• Technology, Minna and all her stakeholders.
• Routine check on all service windows in the University.
• Taking attendance of early comers and staff at work.
• Ensuring effective and timely service delivery within our University system.
• Consultative fora with all Federal University of Technology, Minna stakeholders.
• Organizing sensitization workshop on how to improve service delivery.
• Conducting opinion poll on effectiveness of our service delivery.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SERVICOM Unit, Federal University of Technology, Minna has severally engaged her immediate community on series of self developmental discussions and has also engaged the staff members on sport activity to which is aimed at strengthening staff physically for effective service delivery named “WALK FOR LIFE FOR BETTER SERVICES”.

The Unit has also after discovering students poor attitude to cleanliness and engaged the students on monthly environmental exercise to keep the environment clean and serene for study and habitation.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT

• Successfully submitted the University Service Charter to SERVICOM head office in Abuja, which many Universities/MDAs’ have not done yet.
• In conjunction with Academic Planning Unit, successfully organized on Productivity/Quality Assurance workshops in Federal University of Technology, Minna.
• Walk for life project
• Staff punctuality at work.
• Staff encouragement/motivation via our annual punctuality/productivity award.
• Operation “Every staff and student (without exception) must wear and display his or her ID card while on campus”. If you fail you will not be attended to. You do not belong here. Students should also note that with immediate effect,” no ID card, no exam”.
• “Operation “Switch off all lights, fans and appliances everywhere and every time they are not in use”. This includes all offices, classrooms, lecture theatres, student dormitories etc. Before you leave go back and “Switch off “.Students and Office Assistants to please take note.
• SERVICOM collaborated with the caretaker SUG and the students to conduct monthly environmental sanitation exercises in the two campuses on the last Saturday of every month.  Help to keep our environment clean.
• Participated actively in University activities like University ceremonies committee that organized the highly successful (no.) convocation ceremony.
• Actively participated in the organization and successful
• Organized consultative fora to address these following issues:

• Issuance of students’ transcripts particularly to seek to reduce bottlenecks in the procedure.
• Effective release of name of candidates admitted without delay.
• Registration of both old and new students in way to reduce the time and the bottlenecks in the procedure (e.g. E-payment, allocation of accommodation, departmental registration etc).
• Lecture timetables and commencement of lectures should start at least two weeks after resumption.
• Marking of Examinations and release of results in time.
• Provision of Schedule of Duties and Staff Conditions of Service for better  service delivery required for staff.

• New SERVICOM Brigades/Marshals were inaugurated for compliance with SERVICOM aspirations.
• Actively participated in the senate examination scrutiny and business committee.
• Membership of ACTU/Student Disciplinary Committee and electoral Committee.
• Tracking of mails, Files, Vouchers, Requisitions and Request. To monitor and ensure that incoming and outgoing mails, Files, Vouchers, Requisitions and  Request within the University are attended to according to the stipulations in the  various charters of the units.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Staff attend workshops and trainings at the SERVICOM institute Abuja annually. The Focal officer and his deputy attend stake holders meetings at the National University Commission. In-house trainings have also been organized for all University staff.
SERVICOM Unit, Federal University of Technology, Minna has a total of seven (7) staff members, namely:

• Nodal Officer
• Deputy Nodal Officer
• Service Improvement Desk Officer
• Complaints Desk Officer
• Charter Desk Officer
• Clerical officer
• Confidential Secretary

See Our Staff

It is part of our schedule of responsibility to Set out standards and guideline on the General Physical Planning and Development of all University Projects particularly Buildings, Infrastructure, Furniture and Equipment and to Co-coordinate the activities and inputs of all professional in the building team at both pre and post contract stages of the projects, also to Coordinate the work of Consultants and Contractors and help resolve emergent technical and managerial problems on construction sites so as to realize our targeted objective of providing the required infrastructural facilities needed for the conducive teaching and learning.

MISSION

The mission of the Physical Planning and Development is, the provision of physical infrastructural facilities needed for the overall development of the university.

VISION

Our vision is tailored towards the university overall objective of creating conducive built environment for teaching, learning and research activities for students and staff

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

The following are some of the achievements recorded by the unit for the year under review:

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Completion of Senate Building

IMPACT

This project is already completed and in use satisfactory, it housed the Administrative staff of the entire university (the Vice Chancellors Office and the Two DVCs’, Registry, Bursary, Academic Planning, Physical Planning, UBR , Information unit, Quality Assurance and Internal Audit) . With the completion of this building the university was able to pull its administrative work force together under one roof thus, solving the problem of shuttling between the two campuses (Bosso and Main Campus –about 15km) and buildings as in the past.

Construction of Student Hostel (Private Donation to University)

IMPACT

This project is also completed and in use satisfactory, it has a capacity of 210 students Bed Space and it housed the Female students. It grossly reduced the problem of accommodation faced by the female students in the past.

Construction of Twin Lecture Theater (ETF 2008 Project)

IMPACT

This project is also completed and in use satisfactory, it consist of two halls of 500 seat capacity each. It is expected arrest the problem of combined lectures which required a large classroom accommodation in the school of Environmental Technology.

Construction of General Classrooms.

EXPECTED IMPACT ON COMPLETION

This building was embarked upon to arrest the problem of inadequate classroom accommodation experienced in the main campus. It has three number classrooms and can accommodate 600 students at a time. It’s completed and ready for  use.

ON-GOING PROJECTS

Construction of School of Environmental Technology (SET) Phase II

EXPECTED IMPACT ON COMPLETION

On completion, this building will provide lecture rooms, studios, Office accommodation for HODs, academic and non academic staff of the school. Its expected to reduce the impact of overstretched existing facilities in the school presently. It’s also expected to solve the anticipated problem of “students vs Built Environment Ratio” required by the National University Commission (NUC) for accreditation.

Construction of School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT) Administrative Block (Lot 1A)

EXPECTED IMPACT ON COMPLETION

On completion, this building which was design to be the Administrative wing of the school Of information and Communication Technology, will also provide lecture rooms, Lecture Theater, Office accommodation for Dean, HODs and academic and non academic staff of the school.

Construction of Computer Engineering Department for School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT)

EXPECTED IMPACT ON COMPLETION

The building has a gross useable floor area of 3,634 sq.m in three floor levels. On completion the building will provide the needed infrastructural support to the department.

Shell Nigeria Exploration Petroleum Company (SNEPCO) Computer Center

EXPECTED IMPACT ON COMPLETION

This building was a donation by Shell Nigeria Exploration Petroleum Company (SNEPCO). It is an internet café with a capacity of 100 computers. It is 90% completed.

See Our Staff