The federal polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo was established in October 1981 with the appointment of a rector Engr. Dr. O. B. Epelle, by the federal government.

In furtherance to the federal governments polythecnics decisions to improve the technological base of the country through developments of institutions of higher learning for the primary purpose of reinforcing the will to move from consumer to producer status, the establishment of the federal polytechnic Unwana, Afikpo was a direct response to positive needs.

The Polytechnic moved from a temporary site in Okposi to a parmanent site at Unwana.

Unwana is approximately 150KM from Owerri, the Imo state capital, and 160KM from Enugu. The town which is 14KM from Afikpo lies on the shores of the Cross River and is endowed with a beautiful scenery from which the cameroon mountain can be seen on a clear day.

On november 18, 1981, a federal government team lead by Mrs. E. Joyce Coker, an assistant of Education in the federal ministry of education together with the new rector; Director of planning, National Board for Technical Education(N.B.T.E); and the rector of the federal Polytechnic Idah, visited Unwana and met with the traditional ruler, Ezeogo Dr. Akanu Ibiam who identified an area of land approximately 620 hectres of land, which the Unwana community had donated for the building of the parmanent site of the polytechnic.

On saturday, march 13, 1982, the first entrance examination for the admission of the first batch of students into the polytechnic took place in three centres in the country. 178 students were offered Admission to study Business Administration, Secretarial Studies, Electrical/ Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology.

The first batch of students were admitted on may 27, 1982, and lectures began Immediately. The 1982/83 session saw the addition of the department of Accountancy, while the department of Civil Engineering Technology was added in the 1983/84 session.

The Department of Electrical/ Electronics Engineering Technology as at 1986/87 session is Accredited for the award of the National Diploma(N.D) certificates. Application was filed for accreditation in consideration for Higher National Diploma(H.N.D) programmes. A pre-accreditation took place in 1986 and the department is accredited for the award of H.N.D. in Telecommunication and Electrical Machine and power Options respectively.

Graduands of the Department are very cultured, honest, aticulate and hard working.