By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, popularly known as the Farmer Governor , has been conferred with an honorary Doc...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, popularly known as the Farmer Governor, has been conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Agriculture (Honoris Causa) by the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna. The award was presented during the university’s 33rd convocation ceremony and 42nd Founders’ Day celebration.
Governor Bago received the honorary degree alongside Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, who was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Entrepreneurship, and the Senator representing Niger East, Sen. Muhammad Sani Musa, who was awarded a Doctorate Degree in Technology.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Bago expressed gratitude to FUT Minna for the honor, describing it as a call to further advance the agricultural sector. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with individuals and institutions to strengthen agriculture and improve education in Niger State.
He also urged FUT Minna to continue playing a leadership role in training and research while advocating for stronger partnerships with the state government to enhance agricultural sustainability. As part of his support for education, Governor Bago announced a donation of ₦100 million to an endowment fund created by Senator Muhammad Sani Musa, who also contributed ₦200 million to the initiative.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, the Director of Universities at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa. She described FUT Minna graduates as the future of Nigeria, emphasizing that they will play a vital role in driving national development through innovation and global competitiveness.
Governor Uba Sani, who was honored with a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship, commended Governor Bago for his transformative leadership in Niger State. He also applauded FUT Minna’s contributions to technological education, stating that the institution has consistently broken new ground in achieving academic excellence.
Similarly, Senator Muhammad Sani Musa, who received an honorary Doctorate in Technology, expressed appreciation for the honor. He reaffirmed his commitment to the New Niger Agenda and pledged continued support for FUT Minna. He also emphasized the importance of his proposed tax reform bill, which aims to increase funding for tertiary education institutions across the country.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the FUT Minna Governing Council, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, lauded Governor Bago’s developmental efforts, stating that the honorary award was well-deserved. He urged the graduates to uphold integrity and diligence while using their knowledge and skills to contribute positively to national and global development.
In his address, FUT Minna Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, described the event as historic, marking four decades of excellence in science, engineering, technology, and innovation. He noted that FUT Minna has grown into a leading institution in technological education, recently ranking 8th among Nigerian universities and 2nd among specialized universities in the country.
Prof. Kuta assured that the university would continue maintaining its academic standards and acknowledged Governor Bago’s support, particularly in providing hostel accommodations for students.
A total of 5,816 graduates emerged from the 2023/2024 academic session, comprising:
- 4,955 undergraduate students
- 632 master’s degree recipients
- 105 postgraduate diploma graduates
- 124 Ph.D. recipients
The ceremony underscored FUT Minna’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and innovation in science and technology.
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