President Bola Tinubu has expressed the federal government’s readiness to produce world-class transportation students to address the shortage of human capacity in the transportation sector.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali stated this at the second matriculation ceremony of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura,Katsina State,according to a statement made available on Sunday by his special adviser on media, Jibril Alkali.
He noted that while the institution will address the dire need for a transport focused education, training, and research-based, it will also produce Nigerian experts that will utilise policy, law and industry practice to make the transport sector the pride of the Nigerian economy.
Tinubu stated that as the institution matriculated 529 new students for the 2024/2025 academic session, it marks another milestone in its journey to become a leading institution for transportation education.
He emphasised that government commitment is a drive towards building a new generation of transportation professionals who can compete globally, making the transport sector a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, “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.
“It is our hope and aspirations to produce graduates of the highest quality who can compete favorably with other graduates all over the world. We will deliver on our mandate to disseminate specialised knowledge in all modes of transportation to produce Nigerian experts who will utilize policy, law, and industry practice to make the transport sector the pride of Nigeria’s economy.
“The matriculating students should count themselves lucky to be in the only specialized University of Transportation, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa. You should take advantage of this golden opportunity to be serious so that you will one day become the pride of this University, your parents, and the country at large,” Tinubu said.
The Vice Chancellor of FUTD, Professor Umar Katsayal, in his welcome address explained that the University was established to safeguard and sustain the huge investments of the Federal and State Governments in the transportation sector while bridging the gap in human capacity development in the industry.
He stated that the University has a strong focus on transportation education, training, and research, especially in support of Nigeria’s rejuvenated railway system.
Katsayal further added that CCECC Nigeria Limited, the construction giant behind the Lagos–Kano Railway Modernisation Project, had contributed to the development of the University as part of its corporate social responsibility.
