FUTMinna Partners with Web 3 Bridge to Accelerate Blockchain and Emerging Tech Development

The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WEB 3 Bridge Nigeria Limited to strengthen capacity building, curriculum development, research collaboration, and students’ industrial training opportunities in blockchain and other digital economy domains.

The agreement was formalized on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Academic Publishing Centre, Main Campus.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, expressed appreciation to the management of WEB 3 Bridge for initiating the partnership despite infrastructural challenges, including the condition of the road leading to Minna. He emphasised that Universities of Technology are expected to generate innovative ideas capable of transforming capacity building in emerging technologies across Nigeria.

According to him, establishing centres alone is insufficient without active engagement in rapidly evolving technological fields. He noted that industries worldwide are increasingly integrating emerging technologies into their operations, and Nigerian institutions must align with this global trend.

Prof. Kuta urged the company to place strong emphasis on data training, stressing that accurate and reliable data is critical across all disciplines, including Medicine and Engineering. He further highlighted that the University has recently established new departments such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, all of which require robust data infrastructure and expertise to thrive.

In his remarks, the representative of WEB 3 Bridge, Mr. Awosika Israel Ayodeji, stated that the company has been at the forefront of blockchain development training in Africa since 2019. He explained that the programme has attracted students from various African countries and has provided free training opportunities to develop blockchain expertise. He noted that the company seeks strategic partnerships with academic institutions to ensure sustainability and expand its impact.

Earlier, the Director of the Directorate of Collaboration and Linkages (DCAL), FUT, Minna Prof. Israel Kayode Olayemi, observed that the global economy is undergoing profound digital transformation, with technologies such as blockchain and digital assets redefining how value is created, exchanged, and governed. He described the MoU as a strategic move that will enhance the University’s engagement with emerging digital technologies.

Also speaking, the Director of the International Centre for Emerging Technology, FUT, Minna Prof. Nicholas Iwokwagh, recalled that the Centre was established in July 2022 following approval by the University’s Governing Council to address gaps in research, development, and capacity building in emerging technologies in Nigeria.

He noted that the Web 3 FUT Minna Community initiative aims to create a dynamic environment that fosters cutting-edge research while promoting the development and commercialization of impactful technology driven projects.

The partnership is expected to open new opportunities for students and staff of FUT Minna in blockchain development, research collaboration, and digital innovation, further positioning the University as a leader in emerging technology education in Nigeria.