Tinubu Hails Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa as Nigeria’s Emerging Hub for Technical Innovation
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Governing Council, management, and staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, for what he described as the institution’s steady transformation into a centre of excellence in technical and vocational education.
The President gave the commendation on Saturday during the institution’s 11th Combined Convocation Ceremony held in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Represented by Mrs Amy Igwe, Director of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions in the Federal Ministry of Education, Tinubu said the institution’s expansion of infrastructure, accreditation of programmes in renewable energy technology, artificial intelligence and mechatronics engineering, as well as the establishment of a Skills Innovation Hub, reflected its commitment to quality technical education.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising technical and vocational education, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation and industrial development.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda has positioned technical education as the engine room of national economic growth through increased funding, infrastructure development, curriculum reforms, industry partnerships and student support initiatives.
The President added that the Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), had earmarked N50 billion for graduate entrepreneurship loans in 2026.
He urged the institution to leverage its location in the mineral-rich Nasarawa State to become a leader in research and innovation in mineral processing, beneficiation and clean energy solutions.
Tinubu also called on the polytechnic to strengthen collaboration with relevant government agencies and private investors to harness the state’s mineral resources for job creation and economic growth.
He further advocated the integration of civic education, national values and peace-building into students’ training to produce graduates who are not only skilled but also patriotic and committed to national development.
In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, reiterated his administration’s commitment to science and technical education.
Sule said the state government had established the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocational and Technology Institute in Lafia, alongside skills acquisition centres across the state, to promote youth empowerment, innovation and economic development.
He commended the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, for partnering with the state government in advancing technical education and skills development among young people.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the institution for conferring its Fellowship Award on him during the 10th combined convocation and on his deputy at the 11th edition, describing the gesture as a vote of confidence in the administration.
Earlier, the Rector, Dr Hauwa Muhammad, said the ceremony combined the graduation of students from the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
She said a total of 48,360 students would be awarded Diplomas, National Diplomas (ND) and Higher National Diplomas (HND), while seven distinguished Nigerians would receive the institution’s Fellowship Award.
Muhammad identified the recipients as Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State; Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education; Sen. Ahmed Wadada; and Hon. Fuad Kayode-Laguda, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.
Others are Prof. Idris Muhammad-Bugaje, Executive Secretary, NBTE; Retired Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, Emir of Lafia; and Hon. Ahmed Aliyu-Tijjani, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
She congratulated the graduating students and fellowship award recipients, assuring that the institution would continue to pursue policies that promote staff welfare, motivation, and a conducive working environment.
Speaking with journalists, Sen. Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, described the fellowship award from his alma mater as both an honour and a challenge to do more in service to society.
Wadada also expressed optimism that the bill seeking to upgrade the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to a University of Mining would receive legislative approval, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure its passage.
