The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu came into existence under the then East Central State of Nigeria Edict No 10 of 1973 promulgated by the Administrator of East Central State – Ajie Ukpabi Asika. Prior to the establishment of this great institute, in existence were the College of Technology which offered courses in Engineering and Laboratory Technology leading to the award of Ordinary Diploma; the Institute of Administration which provided short in-service training of various grades; and the Co-operative College which offered a certificate course in Co-operative Studies to Co-operative inspectors from the ministry.
These institutions were autonomous and were located differently. The College of Technology was part of and controlled by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Establishments controlled the Institute of Administration while the Co-operative College was directly under the Ministry of Rural Development.
All these institutions were staffed by civil servants who were posted there from the Ministry and could be re-posted to other departments or units according to the demands of the Civil Service.
In 1970, the need to establish a higher institution of learning for grooming men and women in technological, managerial and engineering fields arose, and in October 1971, the Ukpabi Asika administration decided to merge the former College of Technology with the Institute of Administration. To that effect, both the institute and the College came under the unified control of the cabinet office on 1st April, 1972.
In October of the same year, the Administrator of the East Central State appointed a Provisional Council charged with determining and recommending to the government an appropriate structure of autonomous, technical as well as professional and managerial man-power in the subject areas indicated by the state and national needs. The Council pursued its task with vigor and vision and submitted a report early in April 1973. Thus on 31 May, 1973, the Edict No 10 of 1973 titled, “The Institute of Management and Technology Edict 1973” was promulgated.
The edict took effect from 1st of July, 1973 and this gave birth to what is now known as the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. Dr. Ukwu I. Ukwu became the first Chairman of Council while Professor M.O. Chijioke and Mr. B.O. Akwukwuma became the first Rector and the first Registrar respectively.
Past Chairmen
Dr. Festus Uzor June 2016 - June 2017
Dr. Uzor, a medical doctor by training, who just concluded his 5-year service as a Federal Commissioner in the National Population Commission, is an experienced political strategist who headed the election campaigns of Sullivan Chime and played a key role in the election campaign of Governor Ugwuanyi. Uzor presided over the matters of the Institute of Management and Technology’s governing council as chairman from June 2016 to June 2017.
Rev. Dr. Hyde Onuaguluchi: 2004 – 2009
Chief (Rev.) Dr. Hyde Udeze Onuaguluchi has been involved in many projects like politics, religion law but most people may associate Hyde with Hydrotech – an engineering firm owned by him which has given millions of people fresh drinking water free of charge in the entire eastern zone. Hyde’s commitment to the service and welfare of people made him a household name in many parts of the Igboland. Onuaguluchi was Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, from 2004 to 2009.
Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu: 1974 – 1975
Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, was an economist, an education commissioner in the defunct East Central State and former Executive Director, Centre for Development Research, Management and Training. He attended the University of Ibadan from 1956 to 1961. He later attended University of Cambridge from 1962 to 1965. In 2005, Ukwu received the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
He held various leadership positions in major learned societies, including the Nigerian Geographical Association, the Nigerian Institute of Marketing, the Nigerian Economics Society, and the Social Science Academy of Nigeria. He also consulted for The World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, DFID, ECOWAS, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and National Planning Commission. He taught in many universities within and outside Nigeria, including University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Prof. Ukwu led the governing council as chairman from 1974 to 1975.
Chief Charles A. Abangwu: 1980 - 1983
Charles Aniweta Abangwu (CON) is a Nigerian lawyer, traditional ruler and politician who was a member of the Nigerian Eastern House of Assembly in 1954.
He attended the University of Hull. In 1954, he became a member of the Eastern Region’s, House of Assembly, was deputy speaker of the assembly from 1957-1962. He was later made commissioner in the East Central State under Ukpabi Asika in 1970. He held the position of Chairman of council of the institute from 1980 to 1983.
Past Rectors
Prof. M.U. Iloeje (Oct 2011 - June 2016)
Professor Michael U. Iloeje holds a BSc (Hons) UNN, MSc and PhD degree from Cornell University and a post-doctoral from Oxford. He holds the Professorial Chair in Animal Genetics and Breeding at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; where he has served variously as Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Director of Academic Planning, University Orator, Member of Senate, Member of the Governing Council and Deputy Vice Chancellor.
He is a fellow of the International Academy of Animal Geneticists, recipient of the University of Nigeria Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Millennium Award of the Academy of Arts and Letters, Junior Fellowship Award of the University of Nigeria, the Cornell University Doctoral Fellowship Award; as well as many other national and international awards in science, technology and community service.