President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to producing world-class transportation experts to tackle human resource shortages in the sector, with particular emphasis on Nigeria’s revitalised railway system.
The President gave the assurance at the second matriculation ceremony of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD), Katsina State, for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Represented by the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, President Tinubu said the institution would not only address the pressing need for transport-focused education, training, and research, but also produce Nigerian experts capable of shaping policy, law, and industry practice to make transportation a pillar of the nation’s economy.
The President noted that FUTD, which matriculated 529 new students, had achieved another milestone on its path to becoming a leading institution in transportation education.
“FUTD has made significant progress since its establishment, and I take pride in the institution’s rapid growth. The university is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, focusing on transportation education, training, and research,” he said.
“It is our hope and aspiration to produce graduates of the highest quality who can compete favourably with their peers worldwide. We will deliver on our mandate to disseminate specialised knowledge in all modes of transportation, producing Nigerian experts who will make the transport sector the pride of our economy.”
He further urged the new students to take their studies seriously, describing them as fortunate to be enrolled in the first specialised transportation university in Africa.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor of FUTD, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, said the university was established to safeguard and sustain huge government investments in the transportation sector while bridging gaps in human capacity development.
He explained that the institution maintains a strong focus on transportation education, training, and research, particularly in support of Nigeria’s rejuvenated railway system.
Professor Katsayal added that CCECC Nigeria Limited, the construction company behind the Lagos–Kano Railway Modernisation Project, had also contributed to the development of the university as part of its corporate social responsibility.
PIAK