The federal government has pledged continued support for the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, as the institution matriculated 529 students for the 2024/2025 academic session yesterday.
Minister of Transportation, Ahmed Alkali, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony, congratulated the Governing Council, Senate, staff and students of the insitution.
He said President Tinubu was proud of the rapid progress of the young university, which is the first specialised transportation institution in Africa.
“The matriculating students should count themselves lucky to be admitted into this unique university. You must take your studies seriously so that one day you will become the pride of this institution, your parents and the country at large,” Alkali advised.
The minister praised the Katsina State government under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for its consistent support for the university, commending the Vice Chancellor, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, for his leadership in steering the institution’s growth.
Alkali recalled that when he assumed duty in August 2022, the university had only the vice chancellor as an appointee. Despite this, the maiden matriculation was held in September 2024 for the 2023/2024 academic session.
The current event, he said, reflects the determination of the Ministry of Transportation, the Governing Council, Senate and staff to keep the university on track.
He singled out the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for providing financial and technical assistance that enabled the university to secure approvals, admit students through JAMB and commence academic activities on December 29, 2023.
He urged the company to sustain its commitment by beginning the second phase of the university’s development project.
Alkali also expressed appreciation to Mota Angil Nigeria Limited for sponsoring aspects of the matriculation ceremony, describing its gesture as “monumental”.
Reaffirming the federal government’s vision for the university, the minister said the institution was mandated to produce highly skilled graduates capable of driving Nigeria’s transportation sector.
Earlier, Prof Katsayal thanked the federal government, companies and individuals for the support to the university, urging continued support to lift the university higher.
