President Bola Tinubu has said that no nation can achieve sustainable development without making deliberate and strategic investments in its youth.
Naija News reports that the President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id-Ahmad, made the statement on Sunday at the 34th Convocation Ceremony and 43rd Founders Day of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State.
Tinubu stressed that Nigerians should not be denied access to quality education because of financial constraints, noting that education remained central to national development.
According to him, his administration has continued to expand access to education through targeted infrastructure investments and the implementation of the student loan scheme.
He also commended FUT Minna for its contributions to national development, saying the institution had, over the past 43 years, distinguished itself as a centre of excellence.
“The university has distinguished itself as a centre of excellence in science, engineering innovation and applied research,” the President said.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Farouk Kuta, described the ceremony as a powerful affirmation of the FUT Minna community.
He said the university community was defined by “resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to the advancement of knowledge and service to humanity.”
Kuta disclosed that the institution recorded exceptional progress in the past year, ranking as the seventh best university in Nigeria and emerging as the highest ranked specialised university in the country.
He added that FUT Minna also ranked among the top 10 universities in Nigeria and 68th in Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the strategic expansion of the institution was a decisive step towards fulfilling its mandate as a technology-driven university.
According to him, the expansion is particularly targeted at addressing societal challenges, especially in the training of healthcare professionals and medical technologists.
Kuta reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the welfare and merit of both academic and non-academic staff.
Providing details of staff welfare, the Vice-Chancellor said significant progress was recorded in promotions and infrastructure development.
“Over 146 senior non-teaching staff and 110 junior staff were promoted, while the appointments of 22 staff were confirmed,” he said.
He added, “Also, in creating an enabling environment, the school clinic and sports complex were renovated.”
Kuta urged the graduating students to see the convocation as a transition from learning to service, encouraging them to become solution providers in their various fields.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, commended President Tinubu for his reforms, describing them as steps towards steady national progress.
He said he aligned with the Tinubu administration in ensuring national growth and development.
Santuraki also appreciated Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, for donating ₦100 million towards the construction of a female hostel for medical students of the university.
He further praised the Vice-Chancellor for his prudent management of resources and urged the graduating students to remain good ambassadors of the institution in their careers.
The overall best graduating student from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koter Oluwadamilola, described the moment as a reward for resilience.
She said the achievement was “a testament to perseverance, faith, and unity that carried us through the journey.”
The Federal University of Technology, Minna, graduated a total of 5,297 students during the 2024/2025 academic session.