President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to the Federal University of Mining, Engineering, and Technology, Nasarawa.
The approval was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, the decision is a strategic move aligned with the administration’s commitment to human capital development and the sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s vast solid minerals potential.
### Legislative Push and Regional Advantage
The presidency disclosed that the upgrade followed a proposal championed by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District. Senator Aliyu had advocated for a specialised institution to harness Nasarawa State’s competitive edge in the solid minerals sector and support the nation’s broader industrialisation agenda.
Under its new status, the university will transition into a centre of excellence focusing on specialized education, research, and innovation.
“According to the presidential directive, the specialised university will provide world-class education, research, and innovation in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing, and emerging technologies,” the statement read.
The presidency added that the institution will be tasked with producing the skilled workforce required to drive value addition, technological advancement, and sustainable resource management.
The upgrade also reflects the administration’s policy of aligning the nation’s tertiary education system with national economic priorities. By establishing specialised institutions, the government aims to address critical skills gaps and leverage regional economic strengths.
President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant regulatory bodies to immediately initiate the legal and administrative processes required to implement the conversion.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the education sector, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government would continue to prioritise investments in education, describing it as a “strategic driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and national prosperity.”
