About 478 pioneer students of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State, were matriculated at the weekend, with a call on them to take advantage of the unique opportunity to acquire knowledge to contribute towards the development of the nation’s economy.

It would be recalled that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) had donated the university to the federal government as part of their corporate social responsibility to train Nigerians in railway technology.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the matriculation ceremony held in Daura, Katsina State, said the University of Transportation is the first of its kind in the West African Sub-Region, and that the students would be offered specialised training.

He said they have constituted the Governing Council for the university to disseminate specialised knowledge in all modes of transportation to produce experts who will utilise policy, law, and industry practice to make the transport sector the pride of the Nigerian economy.

He commended the CCECC for the multi-dimensional support and commitments in building the university and for extending special support towards the successful conduct of this matriculation ceremony.

“As Nigeria continues to laud this giant contribution, it becomes imperative to appeal to CCECC Nigeria Limited to sustain similar commitments as it embarks on the second phase of the development project of the university,” he said.

Alkali further disclosed that the institution has been captured by the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) intervention for the execution of capital projects against the 2025 financial year.

Also, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, said he is very happy with the establishment of the university in Daura because it is one of the few that exists in all of Africa.

He commended the leadership style of the vice-chancellor, appreciating him and his management for laying a very strong foundation, and urged the matriculating students to be of good behaviour during their academic session in the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, explained that the establishment of the university is aimed at properly safeguarding and sustaining the huge investments of the Federal and State Governments in the transportation sector, while addressing the need for a transport-focused education, training, and research-based institution in order to address the dearth of human capacity in the transportation industry with a deepened focus on Nigeria’s rejuvenated transport system.

He further said that for the university’s project, CCECC Nigeria Limited agreed to contribute by building take-off classes, laboratories, workshops, and dormitories as an obligation from the profits being made from the Lagos to Kano Railway Modernisation Project for the development of the university in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

He disclosed that support from the CCECC will span through the period of the Lagos to Kano Railway Modernization Project to ensure good work and value for money from CCECC Nig. Ltd.

One of the matriculating students of the university in the Department of Aviation Management, Abdullahi Magaji, who couldn’t hold his excitement, said since they got to the school, they weren’t matriculated, but he is happy and appreciates the efforts by the school management for the progress of the school.