Welcome to Animal Science & Technology Department
The Animal Production Programme was one of the programmes of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. with the School (SAAT) being one of the four Schools established then in 1982. The Programme started with an initial student enrolment of nine (9) and staff strength of two (2) in 1982. It existed as a programme from 1982 to 1987/88 academic year when it acquired the status of a full-fledged Department and renamed Department of Animal Production. In the 1987/88 session, the first set of students graduated. The degree awarded by the Department up to 1996/97 session was the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (B. Agric. Tech., Animal Production). In 1998 the Department was renamed Department of Animal Science and Technology and currently awards the B. Agric. Tech. (Animal Science and Technology), Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in different disciplines/specialization in Animal Science and Technology. To date, the Department has graduated well over 3, 500 students.
You are welcome to enrol for any of the programmes we offer in Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in highly specialized areas of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Management, Animal Products Technology and Animal Reproductive Physiology.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, was one of the first three Universities of Technology established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the 1981/82 academic sessions. The establishment of the University was in direct response to the national need to raise skilled, innovative and technology-oriented manpower resources for the development of a technology-based economy in Nigeria.
The Animal Production Programme was one of the programmes of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) of the University. The School (SAAT) was one of the four Schools established then. The Programme started with an initial student enrolment of nine (9) and staff strength of two (2) in 1982. It existed as a programme from 1982 to 1987/88 academic year when it acquired the status of a full-fledged Department and renamed Department of Animal Production. In the 1987/88 session, the first set of students graduated. The degree awarded by the Department up to 1996/97 session was the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (B. Agric. Tech., Animal Production). In 1998 the Department was renamed Department of Animal Science and Technology and currently awards the B. Agric. Tech. (Animal Science and Technology), Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in different disciplines/specialization in Animal Science and Technology. To date, the Department has graduated well over 3,500 students.
Dr M.U. Iloeje started the programme and became its first coordinator in 1982. He served in this position until 1988 when he assumed the Deanship of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. Then Dr N. Eshett (now late) succeeded him as Programme Coordinator. When the Programme assumed a Department status, Dr N. Eshett became the Acting Head (Ag. HOD) of Department.
Dr A.B.I. Udedibie took over as Ag. HOD in 1989 and held the position until November 1998 when Dr U. Herbert took over as the Ag. HOD. Dr N.J. Okeudo became the Ag. HOD in 2001 until 2003 when he handed over to Dr G.A.Anyanwu. Dr B.O. Esonu took over from Dr Anyanwu in 2005 and handed over to Dr U.E. Ogundu in 2006. Dr M.C. Uchegbu took over from her in 2010 and handed over to Dr O. O. Emenalom in 2012. Dr E.B. Etuk took over from him in 2015 and handed over to Professor C. T. Ezeokeke 2017. The current HOD, Dr Mrs H. O. Obikaonu came into office on July 1 2019. Currently, the Department has a complement of over 35 fulltime academic staff, 5 Registry staff, 4 laboratory staff and 27 technical farm staff.
Established in 1982, Animal Science is a professional course fully backed by the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), the agency regulating practice of Animal Science in Nigeria. Our Curriculum provides the students of animal science with the requisite knowledge, skill and working experience for the practice of animal science profession. With the establishment of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), the image and status of the animal scientist have changed, giving her pride, prominence and motivation.
The Department imparts the technical skills and expertise required for the successful management of modern livestock enterprises.
To impart the technical skills, the “know-how” and “how to do” required for the successful operation of modern-day animal industry.
In 1989/90 Session, the Department developed a highly specialized Postgraduate training for students in the areas of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Management, Animal Products Technology and Reproductive Physiology.
The Department has over the years developed viable livestock holding in the University Teaching and Research Farm. These include large and small ruminant unit, cattle unit, swine unit, poultry unit and feed mill.
In the area of research, the staff of the Department has developed a lot of novel feedstuffs for the livestock industries including jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), gelatinized cassava tuber meal, among others. The genetics and breeding team has also attracted collaborative research funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, called the African Chicken Genetics Gain Project (ACGG). The outcome of this collaborative research has benefited states in all the geopolitical zones of this country.
Professor B.O. Esonu, B. Agric. Tech. (Animal Production) (FUTO); M.Sc., Ph. D Animal Nutrition (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP; MASN; MNYAS; MASAN; MWPSA; MASAS among others. Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition. Professor Esonu was Head, Department of Animal Science and Technology (2005- 2006), University Alumni Relation Officer (2006 -2011) and Director, Centre for Agricultural Research (2011 -2012) and currently, Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology.
Professor N.J. Okeudo, B. Agric. Science (Ife); M. Phil. (Ife); Ph. D (Belfast); RAS, MNSAP; MASN; MIFST (UK). Area of Specialization: Animal Products. Professor Okeudo was Head, Department of Animal Science and Technology (2001-2003) and Director, Anticorruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU). Currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, FUTO.
Professor G.A. Anyanwu, B. Agric. Animal Science (UNN); M.Sc. Animal Science (Ibadan); PhD Animal Nutrition (FUTO); RAS MNSAP; MASN; Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition. Professor Anyanwu was Head of Department (2003-2005) and Associate Dean, SAAT (2006 – 2008) and Director, FUTO Farms Ltd (2015 – 2016)
Professor I.C. Okoli, DVM (Ibadan); M.Sc. Animal Management (FUTO); PhD (FUTO); MNVMA; MNSAP. Area of Specialization: Animal Health and Management.
Professor (Mrs) U.E. Ogundu, B.Sc. Animal Science (Ibadan); M.c. Animal Science (ABU): PhD (FUTO); RAS MNSAP; MASN. Area of Specialization: Animal Breeding and Genetics. Prof. (Mrs.) Ogundu was the Ag. Head of Department, (2006-2010) and SAAT SIWES Coordinator (2010 -2012), Director, Office of the University Development (2015 – 2016).
Professor M.C. Uchegbu, B. Agric. Animal Science (UNN); M.Sc. Animal Nutrition (FUTO); PhD (FUTO); RAS MNSAP; MASAN, MASN, MWPSA, Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition. Prof. Uchegbu was Ag. Head of Department (2010 – 2012).
Professor O.O. Emenalom, B. Agric. Tech. Animal Production (FUTO); M.Sc., PhD Animal Nutrition (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP; MASAN, MNSN, MWPSA; Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition. Prof. Emenalom was SAAT SIWES Coordinator (2003 -2006) and Ag. Head of Department 2012 – 2014), Head of Department (2014 – 2015).
Professor E.B. Etuk, B. Agric. Tech. Animal Production (FUTO); M.Sc., PhD Animal Nutrition (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP; MASAN; MASN; MWPSA: Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition. Dr Etuk was the Associate Dean, SAAT (2012 – 2014), Associate Dean, Students Affairs (2014 – 2015) and Ag. Head of Department (2015-2017)
Professor C.T. Ezeokeke, B.Sc. Agric. Biochemistry and Nutrition; M.Sc. Agric. Biochemistry; PhD (Ibadan); RAS MASAN; MNSAP; Reader. Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry. Ag. Head of Department (2017-2019).
Dr. (Mrs). H.O. Obikaonu, B. Agric. Tech. Animal Production (FUTO); M.Sc., PhD Animal Management (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP; Reader. Area of Specialization: Animal Management. Dr. (Mrs.) Obikaonu was a Deputy Director, Linkages and Advancement Unit (2011 – 2013) and current Ag. Head of Department.
Prof. I.F. Etuk. B. Agric. Animal Science (Uyo) M.Sc.(Ife), PhD (Umudike) RAS, MNSAP; MASAN; Reader. Area of Specialization: Animal Physiology
Dr V.M.O. Okoro, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc. (Ibadan); PhD (Umudike); RAS, MNSAP; MASAN; MGSN; MWPSA; Reader. Area of Specialization: Animal Breeding and Genetics.
Dr N.J. Anyanwu, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc. (RSUST); RAS; MNSAP; MASAN; MWPSA; Senior Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Pasture and Range Management.
Dr I.P. Ogbuewu, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO) Animal Science and Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc., PhD (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP; MASAN; Senior Lecturer. Area Specialization: Animal Reproductive Physiology.
Dr V.U. Odoemelam, B. Agric. (Umudike); M.Sc., PhD (Umudike); RAS MNSAP; MASAN; NIAS; Senior Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Livestock Production and Management.
Dr N.O. Aladi, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc, PhD (FUTO); RAS, MNSAP, MASN; MASAN; Senior Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Animal Products Technology.
Dr C. C. Ugwu, DVM (UNN); M. Sc (UNN) Lecturer I. Area of Specialization: Animal Health & Animal Microbiology.
Dr Mrs O.E. Kadurumba, B. Agric. (Umudike); M.Sc. (Umudike), PhD (FUTO), RAS, MASAN, MNSAP, Lecturer I. Area of Specialization: Animal Genetics and Breeding.
Miss. F. C. Egenuka, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc (FUTO) Lecturer I; Area of Specialization: Animal Products
Dr U. E. Ahiwe, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc (FUTO), PhD (Adelaide); RAS, MASAN, MNSAP Lecturer II. Area of Specialization: Animal Nutrition.
Dr Mrs P. C. Okere, B. Agric. (CAL); M.Sc (FUTO); PhD (FUTO) RAS, MASAN, MNSAP. Lecturer II. Area of Specialization: Animal Management.
Mrs C. U. Ezetoha, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc (FUTO), Assistant Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Animal Products.
Mr C. P. Ukwu, B. Agric. Tech. (FUTO); M.Sc (FUTO), Assistant Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Animal Management.
Mr I. Ejiofor, B. Agric. (IMSU); M.Sc (MOUAU), Assistant Lecturer. Area of Specialization: Animal Physiology.
Dr A. I. Zanwa, DVM, (UNIMAID); Assist
Mr Ifeanyi Solomon Ahamba, B.Agric. Tech (FUTO), Graduate Assistant. Area of Specialization: Animal Breeding and Genetics.
Mr Ajeh Lawrence, Giwa, B. Agric (Nasarrawa), Graduate Assistant. Area of specialization: Animal Production and Management.
Miss. O. C. Ndu bueze, B. Agric (IMSU) Graduate Assistant. Area of specialization: Environmental Biology.
Mrs A. Y. Unachukwu, B. Agric (IMSU) Graduate Assistant. Area of specialization: Animal physiology.
Mr S. Abubakar B. Agric (NASARRAWA) Graduate Assistant. Area of specialization: Environmental Biology.
Course 100 Level
| LIST OF COURSES TAKEN IN THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMME | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR 1: HARMATTAN? SEMESTER | |||||
| Course Code | Course / Subject | L | T | P | Unit |
| GST 101 | Use of English????????????????????? I | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GST 103 | Humanities; Philosophy and Logic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MTH 101 | Elementary Mathematics???? I | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| PHY 101 | General Physics????????????????? I | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| CHM 101 | General Chemistry????????????? I | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| BIO 101 | Biology for Agricultural and Biological Science. I | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Workshop Practice????????????? I | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| ENG 103 | Engineering Drawing I | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| IGB 101 | Igbo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FRN 101 | French | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 21 | ||||
| ?RAIN SEMESTER?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? | |||||
| GST 110 | History and Philosophy of Science | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GST 102 | Use of English II | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GST 108 | Polity and Economy of Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MTH 102 | Elementary Mathematics??? II | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| PHY 102 | General Physics???????????????? II | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| CHM 102 | General Chemistry???????????? II | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| BIO 102 | Biology for Agric and Biological Science. II | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| ENG 102 | Workshop Practice???????? II????? | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| IGB 101 | Igbo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FRN 101 | French | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 21 |
Course 200 Level
| YEAR 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARMATTAN SEMESTER | |||||
| Course Code | Course / Subject | L | T | P | Unit |
| AGR 203 | Introduction to Agriculture | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AGR 205 | Agricultural Chemistry | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AGR 207 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 201 | Principles of? Animal Production 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEX 201 | Introduction to Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CSC 201 | Computers and Applications I | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| STA 211 | Statistics | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| CST 201 | Crop Anatomy, Taxonomy and Physiology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | ||||
| RAIN? SEMESTER | |||||
| AGR 202 | Farm Practice I | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AGR 204 | Agricultural Biochemistry | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 202 | Principles of Animal Production II | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| CST 202 | Tree and vegetable crop production | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CST 204 | Field crop production | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CST 206 | Agro-climatology and Biogeography | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| SST 202 | Principles of Soil Science | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEC 202 | Principles of Micro and Macro Economics | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FAT 202 | Introduction to Fisheries and Aquaculture | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FWT 202 | Principle of Forestry Research and Wildlife Management | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| SIW 200 | Industrial Attachment | ?0 | ?0 | ?2 | ?2 |
| Total | 21 |
Course 300 Level
| YEAR 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARMATTAN SEMESTER | |||||
| Course Code | Course / Subject | L | T | P | Unit |
| AGR 301 | Farm Practice II | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| AGR 303 | Agricultural Genetics | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 301 | Introduction to Tropical Animal Health | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEC 301 | Farm Management | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEC 303 | Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CST 301 | Crop diseases and their control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SST 301 | Soil Chemistry & Fertility | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AGE 301 | Farm Planning & Structures | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEX 301 | Community Agricultural Extension | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| ENS 301 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | ||||
| RAIN? SEMESTER | |||||
| AGR 302 | Farm Practice III | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| AGR 304 | Agricultural Statistics and Biometry | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 302 | Introduction to Animal Nutrition and Feeding | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AGE 202 | Agricultural Machinery and Mechanization? | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| CST 302 | Crop pests and their control | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| SST 302 | Soil and water management | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| AGR 306 | Processing and Storage of Agricultural Food Products | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AEX 302 | Introduction to Rural Sociology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| ENS 302 | Business Creation, Growth and Corporate Governance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| AGR 308 | Geography Information Systems in Agriculture | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 20 |
Course 400 Level
| YEAR 4 (Practical Year/SIWES) | ||
|---|---|---|
| S.No | Course / Subject | Unit |
| 1 | Crop Production Techniques (Permanent, arable and horticultural crops) | 4 |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry Techniques (cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs and rabbits) | 3 |
| 3 | Agricultural products, processing and storage | 2 |
| 4 | Crop protection and pests and disease control | 2 |
| 5 | Animal health management | 2 |
| 6 | Soil fertility, soil and water management | 2 |
| 7 | Farm design, farm survey and land use planning | 2 |
| 8 | Farm management, farm records and farm accounts | 2 |
| 9 | Extension practices | 2 |
| 10 | Workshop practices | 2 |
| 11 | Farm mechanization practices | 2 |
| 12 | Agricultural meteorology | 2 |
| 13 | Report writing | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Course 500 Level
| YEAR 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARMATTAN SEMESTER???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? | |||||
| Course Code | Course / Subject | L | T | P | Unit |
| AST 501 | Animal Health and Biosecurity?????????????? | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 503 | Abattoir Management and Animal Product Handling and Marketing | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 505 | Poultry Production and Hatchery Technology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 507 | Sheep and Goat Production | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 509 | Research and Analytical Techniques in Animal Science | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| AST 513 | Biotechnology in Animal Science | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| AST 515 | Quantitative and Hereditary Genetics in Animal Breeding | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 517 | Animal Feeds and Feeding | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 519 | Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 521 | Animal Science Jurisprudence and Ethics | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AEC 515 | Agricultural Business Management and Finance?? | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 21 | ||||
| RAIN? SEMESTER | |||||
| AST 502 | Swine Production | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 504 | Cattle and Equine Production Technology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 506 | Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 508 | Pasture Management and Utilization | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 510 | Applied Animal Breeding | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 512 | Rabbit and Mini-livestock Production | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| AST 514 | Research Techniques in Animal Science and Technology and Seminar | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| AST 516 | Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology of Farm Animals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| AST 518 | Animal Microbiology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| AEX 506 | Rural Community Development | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 21 |
The Department offers a 5-year programme of instruction leading to the award of the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (B. Agric. Tech.) degree in Animal Science and Technology. The degree programme is carefully structured to give the students a thorough professional background in general agriculture, in addition to very accomplished expertise and specialization in the Science and Technology of Animal Production. The main focus of our training is imparting the technical skills and know-how required for successful management of modern livestock enterprises and research units. A very unique feature of our programme is that staff members are made to carry students along in instructions, discussions and development of appropriate technologies to meet the demands of the animal industry in the tropics.
Another unique feature of our curriculum is the practical content of our courses. Each hour of classroom contact is matched with another 3 hours of practical laboratory and/or on-farm exposure. Our training programme scrupulously provides opportunities for our students to learn by actually “doing it” themselves. In order to emphasize the importance of the practical aspect, our programme exposes the students to the rigours of animal production in the world, by offering job-training attachments to various Animal Production enterprises and farms. These periods of on-the-farm training amount to 30% of the student’s entire stay in our Department. The contents of the undergraduate courses also offer excellent preparation for eventual postgraduate training in any of the areas of higher degree specialization in Animal Science and Technology in our University or any other University in the world.
Admission through University/Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
Candidates seeking admission into the Department through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) must possess at least five O’ Level credits in the SSCE, NECO or GCE at not more than two sittings. The subjects include Agricultural Science / Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English language. Biology may be taken in place of Agricultural Science and vice versa but English, Mathematics and Chemistry are compulsory for any student to be admitted into any Department in the University.
Admission through Direct Entry
Candidates seeking admission into the Department by Direct Entry must possess any of the following: West African School Certificate/GCE (Advanced Level), Higher School Certificate (HSC), National Diploma or Higher National Diploma (Upper Credit) in relevant subjects which must have covered courses required by the Department. In addition, such a candidate must meet the O’ Level requirements for admission.
Admission by Transfer
Occasionally, advanced placements are offered to students who transfer from other recognized universities after careful review of their academic transcripts. Such candidate must, however, meet the basic O’ Level requirements as approved by the University senate.
The students in the Department are encouraged to interact with themselves to take advantage of peer influence on their positive development as professionals in the livestock industry. The students association, Nigerian Association of Animal Science Students (NASSA), is registered with the Students’ Affairs Unit of the University and staff members in the Department act as Patrons and Advisers. The students exchange ideas and engage in such social activities as would help to integrate them as members of one family.
CATTLE BREED UNIT
LABORATORY FUME CUPBOARD
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Reader, HOD, Animal Science & Technology
B. Agric. Tech., M.Sc., PhD., RAS, MNSAP
Email: helen.obikaonu@futo.edu.ng; hod.ast@futo.edu.ng
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Director, Centre for Continuing Education
A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradise
Director, Physical Planning and Development Unit
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
PMB 1526
Imo State, Nigeria
