Transportation: FG reaffirms commitment to skilled manpower development

The Federal government has reaffirmed its commitment towards the development of skilled manpower workforce for transportation sector in Nigeria.

Speaking at the matriculation of new students at the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina state, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, reiterated that the Nigerian government is committed to producing a world-class, home-trained workforce to address the dearth of human capacity in the transportation industry.

He revealed that with a deep focus on Nigeria’s rejuvenated railway system, noting that the training of skilled manpower in the sector in Nigeria will address the dire need for a transport-focused education, training, and research-based approach.

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It will also produce Nigerian experts who will utilise policy, law, and industry practice to make the transport sector the pride of the Nigerian economy.

He stated that as the institution matriculated 529 new students for the 2024/2025 academic session, it marked another milestone in its journey to become a leading institution for transportation education.

The President, represented by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, emphasised that government commitment is
drive towards building a new generation of transportation professionals who can compete globally, making the transport sector a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, “FUTD has made significant progress since its establishment, and I take pride in the institution’s rapid growth. The university is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, focusing on transportation education, training, and research.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister on media, Jibril Umar Alkali, the President said, “It is our hope and aspirations to produce graduates of the highest quality who can compete favorably with other graduates all over the world.

“We will deliver on our mandate to disseminate specialised knowledge in all modes of transportation to produce Nigerian experts who will utilise policy, law, and industry practice to make the transport sector the pride of Nigeria’s economy.

“The matriculating students should count themselves lucky to be in the only specialised University of Transportation, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa. You should take advantage of this golden opportunity to be serious so that you will one day become the pride of this University, your parents, and the country at large”.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTD, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, in his welcome address, explained that the University was established to safeguard and sustain the huge investments of the Federal and State Governments in the transportation sector while bridging the gap in human capacity development in the industry.

He stated that the University has a strong focus on transportation education, training, and research, especially in support of Nigeria’s rejuvenated railway system.

Katsayal added that CCECC Nigeria Limited, the construction giant behind the Lagos–Kano Railway Modernisation Project, had contributed to the development of the University as part of its corporate social responsibility.