FUTMinna Partners with Nurture Roots Foundation to Host 2026 Student Enhancement

The Department of Telecommunications Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), in collaboration with Nurture Roots Foundation, has organised the Student Enhancement Programme 2026 with the theme, “Empowering Future-Ready Engineers through Innovation, Industry Membership, and Emerging Technologies.”

The event, which featured a Students’ Innovation/Pitch Showcase, was held on Monday, 27th April, 2026 at the NITDA Hall, Main Campus.

Declaring the programme open, the Vice-Chancellor, FUTMINNA, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. John Alhassan, congratulated the department and its partners, particularly Nurture Roots Foundation, for initiating such a valuable programme for students. He noted that the initiative aligns with the University’s vision of producing industry-ready graduates who will make meaningful contributions nationally and globally. He also encouraged students to participate actively and maximise every learning opportunity presented to them.

In his remarks, the Dean, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), Engr. Prof. Babatunde A. Adegboye, commended the School management and collaborating partners for supporting the vision of the institution through impactful student-focused initiatives. He assured students that more developmental programmes would be organised across departments within the School.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Department, Telecommunications Engineering, Engr. Prof. Zubair Suleiman, appreciated the presence of participants, University leadership, regulatory agencies, and professional bodies, noting that their participation would provide students with invaluable insights and inspiration. He also acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor for his commitment to academic excellence and creating platforms that enhance student development. He urged students to seize the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and build networks that would shape their future careers.

Speaking on behalf of Nurture Roots Foundation, Member, Board of Trustees, Dr. Abubakar Dahiru, stated that opportunities often come through people and networks. He explained that the Foundation had connected professionals from global organisations such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and others to share first-hand experiences and guide students on navigating global technology careers.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of NITDA, NASENI, and other stakeholders, who commended the organisers for the timely initiative. They also advised students to ensure that new and existing technologies are safe, secure, and productive for societal advancement.

The programme featured two panel sessions on the topics: “Building the Future: Engineering, AI and Career Opportunities in the Global Digital Economy” and “From Classroom to Career: Preparing, Positioning and Getting Started.” Speakers included Dr. Bashir Mohammed (Amazon), Dr. Ibrahim Waziri (Google), Dr. Aliyu Ahmed (Microsoft), alongside other industry experts and stakeholders.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Prof. Abubakar S. Mohammed expressed appreciation to the organisers, partners, especially Nurture Roots Foundation, speakers, and participants, both physical and virtual, for contributing their time and expertise to the success of the programme.