Tinubu Approves Conversion of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology

President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology to strengthen technical education and support Nigeria's solid minerals sector.

The approval was announced on Monday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, the decision followed a proposal by the Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who argued that the state’s vast mineral resources make it a suitable location for a specialised institution focused on mining and engineering education.

The upgraded institution will offer academic programmes in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing and other technology-driven disciplines. It is also expected to serve as a hub for research, innovation and manpower development to support Nigeria’s growing mining industry.

The Presidency said the university would help produce skilled professionals capable of driving value addition in the solid minerals sector, promoting industrial innovation and supporting the sustainable exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.

The conversion forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to align higher education with national economic priorities by establishing specialised universities that address workforce gaps in strategic sectors.

President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant agencies to begin the legal, regulatory and administrative processes required for the transition.

The Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, established in 1983, is one of Nigeria’s leading technical institutions and is expected to commence operations as a specialised federal university after the completion of the conversion process.