ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-President Bola Tinubu has praised the Governing Council, management and staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, for repositioning the institution as a hub for excellence in technical education.
He said the approval of new academic programmes in renewable energy technology, artificial intelligence and mechatronics engineering, among others, alongside the establishment of a Skills Innovation Hub, demonstrated the institution’s dedication to strengthening technical education and equipping students with industry-relevant skills.
Tinubu gave the commendation during 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 at the Federal Ministry of Education, Amy Igwe, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to making technical education a priority, describing it as vital to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He said the country’s industrial future rests on the strength of its technical and vocational workforce.
“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 include funding and infrastructure development, curriculum reform, student support and industry linkages.
“The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry and SMEDAN, has earmarked N50 billion for graduate entrepreneurship loans in 2026,” he said.
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Tinubu further noted that the institution was strategically placed to drive research and innovation in mineral processing, beneficiation and clean energy, considering Nasarawa State’s vast solid mineral deposits.
“I charge the leadership of this polytechnic to deepen collaboration with the 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 urged the institution to incorporate civic education, national values and peacebuilding into its academic training, stressing that the country requires graduates who are not only technically competent but also patriotic and committed to peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting science and technical education.
“This is based on our conviction that technical education is the surest path to socio-economic development. It is in this regard that the state government established the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, as well as skills acquisition centres in other parts of the state.
“This is aimed at achieving the government’s objective of youth empowerment, skills development and the promotion of science, technology and innovation in the state,” he said.
The governor also applauded the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, for collaborating with the state government in advancing science and technical education.
“This is how it should be, as it demonstrates our collective resolve to create opportunities for our people through technical education,” he said.
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He further thanked the institution for conferring fellowship awards on him during its 10th combined convocation and on his deputy at the 11th edition, describing the recognition as a vote of confidence in their administration.
Delivering her convocation address, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Dr Hauwa Muhammad, said the ceremony covered graduates from the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
“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.
Muhammad disclosed that 48,360 students graduated during the combined convocation, while seven eminent Nigerians received the institution’s Fellowship Award.
The recipients are the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad; Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada; Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda; Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje; the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (retd.); and the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Tijjani.
She congratulated the graduating students, their families and the fellowship award recipients, assuring them that the institution would continue to implement policies that promote staff welfare, improve motivation and provide a conducive working environment.
Speaking with journalists, Senator Ahmed Wadada (APC, Nasarawa West) expressed gratitude for the fellowship award bestowed on him by his alma mater.
“I feel fulfilled and honoured. More importantly, I see this as a challenge to do even more in service to humanity so that I continue to merit greater honours in the future,” he said.
The senator also revealed that the bill he sponsored seeking to upgrade the institution into a University of Mining was still before the National Assembly for legislative consideration, expressing confidence that it would eventually be passed.