Tinubu Applauds Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Reaffirms Commitment to Technical Education
By Hauwa'u Mohammed Keffi
Nasarawa, June 28 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Governing Council, management and staff of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa for transforming the institution into a centre of excellence in technical and vocational education.
The President gave the commendation at the institution's 11th Combined Convocation Ceremony held on Saturday in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Represented by the Director of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Amy Igwe, President Tinubu praised the institution's remarkable achievements, including the expansion of infrastructure, accreditation of new academic programmes in Renewable Energy Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics Engineering, as well as the establishment of a Skills Innovation Hub.
He described the milestones as clear evidence of the institution's commitment to academic excellence and national development.
The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to prioritising technical education, describing it as the driving force behind Nigeria's economic transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"Nigeria's industrial future depends on the quality of its technical and vocational workforce. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, this administration has made technical education the engine room of our economic transformation," he said.
Tinubu highlighted several interventions by the Federal Government, including increased funding for technical institutions, curriculum reforms, enhanced industry partnerships and student support initiatives.
He disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has earmarked ₦50 billion for graduate entrepreneurship loans in 2026.
The President further urged the institution to leverage Nasarawa State's vast solid mineral deposits by leading research and innovation in mineral processing, beneficiation and clean energy solutions.
He encouraged the polytechnic to strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies and private investors to convert the state's mineral wealth into employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
Tinubu also stressed the need to integrate civic education, national values and peace-building into students' training, noting that Nigeria requires graduates who are not only technically competent but also patriotic and committed to peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, reiterated the Nasarawa State Government's commitment to promoting science, technology and technical education.
He said the state government had established the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocational and Technology Institute in Lafia alongside several skills acquisition centres across the state to empower youths and drive innovation.
Governor Sule commended the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa for partnering with the state government in advancing technical education and youth development.
He also expressed appreciation for the institution's decision to confer its Fellowship Award on him during the 10th Combined Convocation and on his deputy during the 11th Combined Convocation, describing the honour as a demonstration of confidence in their leadership.
Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Hauwa Muhammad, disclosed that the combined convocation covered four academic sessions—2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
She said a total of 48,360 students graduated with National Diplomas (ND) and Higher National Diplomas (HND), while seven distinguished Nigerians were honoured with the institution's Fellowship Award for their outstanding contributions to national development.
The recipients include the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa'id Ahmad; Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada; Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda; Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje; the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd); and the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Tijjani.
Dr. Muhammad congratulated the graduating students and award recipients, assuring that the institution would continue to pursue policies that promote staff welfare, motivation and a conducive working environment.
Speaking after receiving the Fellowship Award, Senator Ahmed Wadada described the honour as both fulfilling and motivating.
According to him, the recognition by his alma mater places a greater responsibility on him to contribute more to the institution and national development.
He also disclosed that the bill seeking the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to a University of Mining is progressing through the National Assembly and expressed optimism that it would eventually be passed into law.
