Tinubu approves upgrade of Nasarawa Federal Poly to university

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, Nasarawa.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that the upgrade is in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening technical education, developing human capital, and unlocking Nigeria’s vast solid minerals potential.

The approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, who made a case for the establishment of a specialised institution to harness Nasarawa State’s comparative advantage in the solid minerals sector and support Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, the statement said.

According to the presidential directive, the specialised university will provide world-class education, research, and innovation in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing, and emerging technologies, while producing the skilled workforce required to drive value addition, technological advancement, and sustainable exploitation of the nation’s mineral resources.

According to Onanuga, the approval reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to aligning Nigeria’s tertiary education system with national development priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda by establishing specialised institutions that address the country’s economic needs and leverage its competitive advantages.

He said President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant agencies to commence the processes necessary to implement the conversion in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

President Tinubu reaffirmed that his administration will continue to invest in education as a strategic driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and national prosperity, the statement noted.