EU Mission Evaluates Mobility Grant Projects at FUTMinna; Commends Implementation Success

Officials from the European Union (EU) Mission concluded a two-day on-site evaluation at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, on Friday, January 9, 2026. The visit was aimed at assessing the impact and implementation of EU-funded mobility grants supporting student and staff exchange programmes.

The delegation, led by Ms. Huba Boshoff, met with university leadership to review scholarships that facilitate both inbound international students to FUT Minna and outbound exchange opportunities for Nigerian students across the continent.

During a reception at the Main Campus in Gidan Kwano, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta highlighted the institution’s ranking as the seventh-best university in Nigeria. He emphasized that the university's core mandates—teaching, research, and community service—are strengthened by international partnerships that drive societal innovation.

Technical presentations held at the African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) detailed the university’s growing global footprint:

Academic Quality: Prof. Israel Kayode Olayemi noted that mobility programmes are now strategic tools for increasing the university's global visibility.

Regional Leadership: Prof. Francis Arimoro of the African Water Resources Mobility Network (AWARMAN) identified FUT Minna as a premier hub for research in artificial intelligence and clean energy.

Entrepreneurial Success: Prof. A. Caroline reported that several PhD and Master’s students are currently benefiting from the "Home Grown Clean Energy Solution Project," including international training in Uganda.

In an exit meeting held on January 9, 2026, the EU Mission expressed high satisfaction with the university's management of the grants. Ms. Boshoff praised the "strong level of commitment" shown by the project offices and noted the positive feedback from student beneficiaries.

However, the Mission urged the university to further bridge the gap between academic research and grassroots community development. Ms. Boshoff also recommended integrating a more robust "entrepreneurship mindset" into the university’s core vision to maximize economic opportunities for graduates.

Prof. Kuta assured the delegation that the university would implement the recommendations to further strengthen its international standing.