President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, Nasarawa, as part of efforts to strengthen technical education and develop Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The Presidency said the approval aligns with the administration’s commitment to human capital development and unlocking the country’s vast mineral resources.

The upgrade followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, who advocated the establishment of a specialised institution to harness the state’s comparative advantage in mining and support Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

According to the presidential directive, the new university will focus on education, research and innovation in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing and emerging technologies, while producing the skilled workforce needed to drive value addition and sustainable exploitation of the nation’s mineral resources.

President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant agencies to begin the processes required to implement the conversion in line with existing laws and regulations.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, job creation and national development.