First Transport University in Africa Will Lead Innovation – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained that the  University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, which will be the first in Africa, will provide technical skills, enhance managerial capacity and pave way for innovation in Nigeria’s transport system, while creating more job opportunities.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the pioneer University of Transportation yesterday, the President noted that the transport sector was in dire need of new thinking, skills and investment, assuring that the university will open up opportunities for economic growth.

According to him, “The project is part of the ongoing effort of the Federal Government towards promotion and development of indigenous capacity through technology acquisition and knowledge transfer to effectively maintain and operate numerous railway infrastructure”.

Buhari reassured  that  the policy on development of indigenous capacity will be vigorously pursued by the government.

“When established the university would among other things pave way for domestication of railway engineering and general transportation sciences in Nigeria thereby bridging the technology and skill gap in the railway and ultimately transportation sector”.

He stressed that the university, which is an investment by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), will be fully supported by the Federal Government with guidelines to ensure domestication that will support local infrastructure.

While lauding the Katsina State government for speedily providing land for the university, and the Ministry of Transportation for the initiative, the President promised that  his administration will continue to prioritize railway transportation that will reduce cost of transportation and ease movement.