President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, Nasarawa, in a move aimed at strengthening technical education and unlocking Nigeria’s solid minerals potential.
The Presidency said the approval aligns with the administration’s commitment to human capital development, industrialisation, and the expansion of specialised tertiary education institutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The decision followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the Senate. The lawmaker had advocated the establishment of a specialised university to leverage Nasarawa State’s rich solid mineral resources and support Nigeria’s broader industrial development objectives.
According to the presidential directive, the new university will focus on providing world-class education, research, and innovation in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
The institution is also expected to produce highly skilled professionals capable of driving value addition, technological advancement, and the sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The Presidency said the conversion reflects Tinubu’s determination to align tertiary education with national economic priorities by establishing institutions designed to address critical sectors of the economy and harness the country’s comparative advantages.
President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant agencies to begin the necessary processes for the implementation of the conversion in line with existing laws and regulations.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the education sector, the President said investments in education remain central to promoting economic growth, innovation, job creation, and national prosperity.
