President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, Nasarawa, in a move aimed at strengthening technical education and growing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The approval was announced on Friday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement said the decision supports the administration’s plan to build human capital and unlock the country’s rich solid minerals resources.
“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 statement said.
The Presidency said the approval followed a proposal from Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District. He requested the creation of a specialised institution to make use of the state’s strength in the solid minerals sector and support Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
It said the university would provide specialised education and research in key sectors of the economy.
“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,” the statement read.
The Presidency said the approval also shows the administration’s resolve to align tertiary education with national development goals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“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,” the statement added.
President Tinubu also directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and other relevant agencies to begin the steps needed to carry out the conversion in line with existing laws and regulations.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, the President said the government would continue to make the sector a priority.
“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 said.
