- Former member representing Daura/Maidua/Sandamu Federal Constituency and chairman of the varsity’s interim management committee, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal (right), and Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Mr Jason Zhang (left), presenting the bill to the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo in Abuja
By Anthony Nwachukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the bill to establish the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State, as a training institution.
The varsity is to serve for “the development of transportation engineering, logistics and other courses of interest that will support post-modern transportation industry.”
It is being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility at no cost to the nation.
It was signed into law by Buhari on March 30, 2023 following its earlier passage by the Senate on April 6, 2022, and the House of Representatives on November 22, and representation to the president on March 1, 2023.
The Act provides legislative framework for the establishment of the institution for indepth and continuous cutting-edge research in transportation engineering, logistics and other supporting courses for the industry, leading to the award of first degrees, postgraduate degrees, diploma and other professional certificates.
The varsity would, among others, pave way for the domestication of railway engineering and general transportation sciences in Nigeria, thereby bridging the technology and skills gap in the railway and transportation sector.
It is believed that it can reach the target of training people, technology transfer and developing of the railway industry, which is in huge demand in Nigeria and the West African region as a whole, while also enhance managerial capacity and creating more job opportunities.