President Bola Tinubu has asserted that no nation can achieve sustainable growth without a deliberate and strategic investment in its youth population.
The President made this remark on Sunday during the 34th Convocation Ceremony and 43rd Founders’ Day of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna. Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id-Ahmad, Tinubu emphasized that financial constraints should not be a barrier to any Nigerian accessing quality education.
President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s commitment to breaking down barriers to learning through targeted infrastructure development and the operationalization of the national student loan scheme.
Reflecting on the milestone, the President commended FUT Minna for its 43-year legacy of excellence, noting its significant contributions to science, engineering innovation, and applied research.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Farouk Kuta, described the ceremony as an affirmation of a community defined by resilience and a dedication to service. He disclosed that the past year was marked by exceptional growth for the institution.
“The university currently ranks as the seventh-best university in Nigeria and the highest-ranked specialized university in the country,” Kuta stated. He further noted that the institution is ranked among the top 10 in Nigeria and 68th across the African continent.
Kuta detailed the university’s strategic expansion into training healthcare professionals and medical technologists, calling it a decisive step in fulfilling the institution’s mandate to solve societal challenges through technology.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, lauded President Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, stating that the council’s goals align with the federal government’s vision for national growth.
Dr. Santuraki also expressed appreciation to the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his N100 million donation toward the construction of a female hostel for medical students. He further commended the Vice-Chancellor for his prudent management of resources and urged the new graduates to serve as worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Representing the graduating class, Koter Oluwadamilola, the overall best graduating student from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering described the achievement as a testament to the perseverance and faith that sustained the students throughout their academic journey.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the university graduated a total of 5,297 students for the 2024/2025 academic session.
