President Bola Tinubu has applauded the governing board, management and staff of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa for working assiduously in elevating the institution into a center of excellence in technical education.
He gave the commendation at the institution’s 11th combined convocation ceremony held in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state on Saturday.
According to him, the expansion of infrastructure, accreditation of new programmes in renewable energy technology, artificial intelligence and mechatronics engineering and the establishment of the skills innovation hub speaks volumes and are testaments to their commitment.
The president represented by Mrs Amy Igwe, Director of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, Ministry of Education then vowed to keep prioritising technical education because it is key to Nigeria’s economic transformation and development.
He noted that Nigeria’s industrial future depends on the quality of it’s technical and vocational workforce hence the priority given to technical education by his administration.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, this administration has made technical education the engine room of our economic transformation.
“Some of the remarkable achievements of this administration includes funding and infrastructure, curriculum reform, student support, industry linkage and the Federal government through the Bank of Industry and SMEDAN has earmarked N50 Billion for graduate entrepreneurship loans in 2026,” he said.
He added that there is no reason for the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa not to lead in research and innovation for mineral processing, beneficiation and clean energy solutions given the fact that the institution is located in Nasarawa state which is rich in solid minerals.
“I charge the leadership of this polytechnic to deepen your collaboration with National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, the Mining Cadastre Office, and private investors to turn Nasarawa’s mineral wealth into jobs and revenue for our people,” he said.
The president also called for the integration of civic education, national values and peace building into students training, adding that the country needs graduates who are not only skilled but patriotic and peace loving to promote security which is highly requires for Nigeria’s development.
In his address, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe also pledged to ensure his administration keeps giving top priority to the development science and technical education in the state.
“This is based on our conviction that technical education is the sure way for socio-economic development. It is in this connection that government established the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocation and Technology Institute Lafia and skills acquisition centres in other parts of the state.
“This is geared towards realizing government objective on youth empowerment and skills development as well as promoting science, technology and innovation in the state,” he said.
He lauded the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa for being a partner in the drive towards science and technical education for youths in the state.
“This is how it should be as it demonstrates out collective resolve towards creating opportunities for the people through technical education,” he said.
He then appreciated the institution for awarding its Fellowship Award to him during its 10th combined convocation and his Deputy at the institution 11th combined convocation, adding that the gesture is a demonstration of the institution’s trust in them to provide service delivery to the people.
In her convocation address, Dr Hauwa Muhammad, Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa said the combined convocation ceremony covers the successful graduation of students from four academic sessions: 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
“We have gathered to confer Diplomas, National Diplomas (ND) and Higher National Diplomas (HND) on deserving graduands and to honour those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance, exemplary character, innovation, and service,” she said.
She revealed that the combined convocation ceremony is graduating a total of 48, 360 graduates and also conferring the institution’s Fellowship Award to seven 7 distinguished Nigerians who have excelled in their various fields of endeavors.
“They are His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State; Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, Honourable Minister of State for Education; Senator, Aliyu Ahmed Wadada; Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District; Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.
“Others are Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaji, Executive Secretary, NBTE; His Royal Highness Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd), Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs; and Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Tijjani, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI),” she said.
She then congratulated all graduating students and their families as well as those conferred with institution fellowship award for the remarkable achievement.
She also assured the gathering that management of the institution is committed to pursuing policies that improve staff well-being, encourage motivation, and create a supportive working environment.
“We remain committed to ensuring that our staff members receive the support necessary to perform at their highest potential,” she said.
In an interview, Sen. Ahmed Wadada (APC/Nasarawa West) said he felt happy, appreciated, challenged and fulfilled to be conferred with the fellowship award by the polytechnic.
“I feel fulfilled and honoured for being honoured by my Alma mater but over and above all I see it as a challenge.
“A challenge in the sense that for me to be so recognized and honoured then it is expected that in future I should do more than I have done to deserve this honour, so that more honours and awards continue to come,” he said.
He then assured that a bill he sponsored for the institution to be transformed to a University of Mining is still undergoing legislative process and all efforts are being put to ensure it is passed by the legislative arm of government.
