Leo Daniel is the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State. An Endowed Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He served as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT from 2008 until his appointment as Provost, College of Engineering and Technology, KWASU in 2010.
He also served from 1996 to 2000 as Research Scientist and project manager of the UK MOD Défense Evaluation Research Agency (DERA), where he led research in the areas of aerospace aerodynamics, structural dynamics and composites crash-worthiness for military aircraft, the latter of which he was a pioneer in the late nineties. He led efforts at CNRS (Dijon, France) for the development of novel technologies for revolutionary use of Ultrasonic YAG laser for detection of mechanical breakdown of nuclear coated-substrate interface in nanoscale in 2001, for which he received several awards. In 2002, he joined the European Space Agency (Netherland) as a Senior Research Scientist, where he successfully evaluated the use of advanced composite structures in primary structure of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). He led in a design and delivery of flight modules of a European SOCRATES reusable launch vehicle and Crew Return Vehicle (CRV). As Project Manager at Airbus UK and Reader at Cranfield University, he led a successful cost evaluation of Hydraulic Power Systems of Airbus aircraft modules including the A380 series (2004).
He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of California as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2005. Professor Daniel is currently conducting research in the areas of aerospace structural dynamics, and hypervelocity impact of composites, bio-inspired and intelligent structures with applications to morphing aircraft structures, intelligent unmanned area vehicle (IUAV), Cybersecurity, bio/medical sensing, intelligent vehicle and highway systems (IVHS).
Past work on composites includes the discovery of a “before unobserved type of impact damage due to composite shell material/structural interactions.” Professor Daniel is a recipient of a UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Fellow Award and a European Training and Mobility in Research (TMR) Award. He established Aeronautics and Astronautics programs at KWASU, AUST, which led to his appointment by the National University Commission (NUC) as a Resource Person to review and approve the Basic Minimum of Academic Standards (BMAS) in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering for Nigerian Universities in 2013.
Academic Degrees
Ph.D. – 2000, Queen Mary and Imperial College, Univ. of London (sponsored by UK MOD & EPSRC)
M.Sc. – 1990, Soviet Academic of Sciences
B.A. – 1989, Soviet Academic of Sciences
Mrs. Offiongita Essessien Nkang is an Astute Administrator of no mean repute, a seasoned education manager and planner with exceptional skills.
Mrs. Offiongita E. Nkang was born on the 22nd May, 1967 at General Hospital Enugu, Enugu State. She hails from Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She started her Primary Education at Cruick Shank School, Oku Iboku from 1973 to 1978, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), Secondary Education at African Church Secondary School, Oku Iboku from 1979 to 1984 (SSCE) and also attended University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) in 1988 where she obtained Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) in English/Religious Studies. In a quest for more knowledge, she proceeded to the University of Calabar, Calabar – Cross River State from 1990 to 1995 where she obtained a degree in Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. She also obtained a Master’s degree in Education Management and Planning from the University of Uyo, Uyo – Akwa Ibom State in 2008.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (IPMA), Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and a Member of Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA). Mrs. Offiongita Nkang has worked for over 25 years with great career experience in Higher Education Administration and she demonstrates amazing proactive leadership style.
She has carried out many Administrative Assignments in the University system and has attended many Conferences/Workshops in and outside the Country. Indeed Mrs. Offiongita E. Nkang is a woman of definite purpose, a visionary leader per excellence. Hence, she is today the Amiable and Pioneer Registrar of The Prestigious Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi.
Dr. Mbobo Erasmus Mbobo is a consummate professional, with strong financial management skills and sound knowledge of accounting procedures and best practices. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), he has over 30years cognate experience in Accounting practices, 19 of which has been in the University system.
Born into the royal family of Eteidung Akpan Mbobo, of Okpokpong Royal Dynasty of Ikot Oborenyin, Edemaya in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in 1966, the young Prince started his primary education at Government Primary School, Ukan 1 in 1972 and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977. He then proceeded to Secondary Commercial School, Ibekwe, where he completed his secondary education in 1982. He obtained his Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from Federal Polytechnic, Idah; where he emerged the Overall Best Graduating Student in 1991. The quest for knowledge update took him to University of Uyo where he bagged the Master of Administration (MBA) degree in 2005 and a Doctor of (Ph.D) in Accounting in 2016; obtained with outstanding performance which earned him the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.
His working life traversed the public sector, private sector, professional practice, university bursary and the academia. With a stint at A.C.T, Lagos in 1992 as an Accountant, he joined Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in 1994. He served as a State Accountant in Akwa Ibom State Office as well as in Abia State Office, Umuahia between 1994 and 2003. In 2003, he joined the practicing firm of Eddyette & Co (Chartered Accountants), where he practiced until late 2005 when he joined the newly established Akwa Ibom State University of Technology (AKUTECH) as the acting Director of Finance and Head of the Bursary Department of the University. He was promoted Deputy Bursar in the (new) Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden in year 2019; from where he was appointed the Bursar Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi in 2022 by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
Professor Philip U. Akor is a Professor of Library and Information Technology who taught in the Department of Library and Information Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, West Africa. He started his career in Librarianship as a Library Assistant in the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He worked as a Tutor in the Benue State Teaching Service Board, where he served as Dean of Studies, Vice Principal and a Principal before he transferred his services to the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo and to the Federal University of Technology, Minna where he served as a Departmental Coordinator, Postgraduate Studies, Head of Department, an Ag. Dean School of Science and Technology Education, a member of the University Senate and a member of various committees in the University. He holds a National Certificate of Education (NCE), BA (Ed), Master of Library and Information Science and Doctor of Philosophy of Education in Library and Information Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Prof. Akor is currently the University Librarian, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State. He is a dynamic and a prolific academia. He has published over one hundred (100) articles in both local and international reputable journals, book chapters and standard textbooks in the field of Library and Information Science. He is the editor in chief to Information Navigation: International Journal of Technology and Information Studies (IJTIS).
He is a Chartered Librarian of Nigeria (CLN), a member of Nigerian Library Association (NLA), National Association of Library and Information Science Educators, Association of University Librarians in Nigeria Universities (AULNU) and member WACREN. Because of his love for his community, he has engaged in various community services both humanitarian and academic wise and presently committed to it. He is happily married to Mrs. Kate Akor, a Deputy Director of Education and they are blessed with wonderful children.