President Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Stable Academic Calendar as FUT Minna Graduates 5,297

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a stable academic calendar, improved staff welfare, and expanded access to quality education.

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Visitor to the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT, Minna) gave the assurance in an address he delivered at the 34th Convocation Ceremony & 43rd Founders’ Day of the University, held on Sunday, 1st February, 2026 at the Suleimanu Kumo Convocation Square, Main Campus.

The President, represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa'id Ahmad, described Universities of technology as strategic drivers of Nigerian economic transformation, stressing that innovation, science, and human capital development remain central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

He commended the University for its contributions to engineering, agriculture, healthcare, energy, and the digital economy, urging the University to deepen partnerships with the private sector and align its academic programmes with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and data science.

President Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony in the university system, noting that a unified negotiation framework has been adopted through the Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee, which facilitated the recent agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He assured that discussions with other unions would be concluded in due course.

He also highlighted key interventions aimed at strengthening tertiary education, including the introduction of a zero-interest Staff Loan Scheme in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), with ₦40 billion earmarked for disbursement in 2026. Under the scheme, eligible staff can access loans ranging from ₦1 million to ₦10 million, repayable over five years with a one year moratorium.

The President further noted the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), through which over ₦50 billion has been disbursed to approximately 624,535 students across 303 tertiary institutions nationwide, significantly reducing financial barriers to higher education. He also announced the Students’ Innovation Venture Capital Grant, which provides up to ₦50 million in seed funding to support student-led innovations with strong commercial potential.

In his address the Honourable Chancellor of the University, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi (Odundun II), CFR, Deji of Akure and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, whose address was delivered by the Vice-Chancellor due to his absence, congratulated the graduands and urged them to uphold excellence, integrity, and good character as ambassadors of the institution. He commended the Governing Council and Management for strengthening academic programmes, improving infrastructure and sustaining industrial harmony.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Mohammed Kudu Santuraki, described the University as a steadily advancing centre of excellence in science, technology, and innovation. He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the administration’s education reforms and to the Governor of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, for the ₦100 million donation towards the construction of a female hostel for medical students. Dr Santuraki reaffirmed the Governing Council’s commitment to supporting applied research, industry collaboration, and innovation driven teaching and learning.

Delivering his Convocation Address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, announced that 5,297 students graduated during the ceremony, comprising 4,438 first-degree holders, 73 postgraduate diploma recipients, 633 master’s degree graduates, and 153 PhD awardees.

He disclosed that in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, FUT Minna was ranked the 7th best university in Nigeria and emerged as the highest-ranked specialised university in the country. 

He further announced that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had granted approval for the establishment of the College of Medical Sciences and Health Technology, with six programmes including Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Doctor of Pharmacy, Human Anatomy, and Human Physiology.

Prof. Kuta highlighted the University strong research profile, noting that FUT Minna secured 15 TETFund National Research Fund grants valued at over ₦400 million, in addition to a ₦1 billion TETFund Agricultural Commercial Farm Grant. 

He disclosed that the number of patents held by the University increased from 18 in 2024 to 25 in 2025, while 68 outstanding researchers and inventors were recognised in December 2025, including scholars listed among Stanford University Top 2 per cent of Global Scientists.

The Vice-Chancellor also outlined ongoing infrastructural developments, including the extension of the Senate Building, construction of a Professorial Complex, renovation of the University Clinic and Sports Complex, and the commissioning of other strategic facilities. 

He emphasised the University’s expanding international partnerships in climate science, mining engineering, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

Charging the graduands, Prof. Kuta urged them to become innovators, job creators, and solution providers, noting that they were graduating from a university ranked among the top 10 in Nigeria and top 70 in Africa by Times Higher Education, with strong recognition for graduate employability.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries from government, traditional institutions, academia, industry, parents, and alumni, marking another milestone in FUT Minna’s journey towards becoming a leading hub of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Africa