President Bola Tinubu, at the weekend, 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.
Tinubu gave this commendation at the institution’s 11th combined convocation ceremony held in the Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state.
The president explained that 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 centre speaks volume and are testaments to their commitment.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Director of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, Ministry of Education, Mrs Amy Igwe, vowed to keep prioritizing technical education because it is key to Nigeria’s economic transformation and development.
He stressed that Nigeria’s industrial future depends on the quality of its technical and vocational workforce, hence the need to prioritize technical education by his administration.
According to President Bola Tinubu, “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, 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.
The President 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 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 called for the integration of civic education, national values, and peacebuilding into students’ training, adding that the country needs graduates who are not only skilled but also patriotic and peace-loving to promote security, which is highly required 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 of 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 the government established the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocation and Technology Institute, Lafia, and skills acquisition centres in other parts of the state.
He reiterated that his administration would work towards realizing the government’s 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.
He added, “This is how it should be as it demonstrates our collective resolve towards creating opportunities for the people through technical education,” he said.
He, however, appreciated the institution for awarding its Fellowship Award to him during its 10th combined convocation and his Deputy at the institution’s 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.
She however, assured the gathering that management of the institution was committed to pursuing policies that improve staff welfare, encourage motivation, and create a supportive working environment.
