Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on the management of Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, to collaborate with Niger Foods and sign a lease agreement that will allow the cultivation of the school’s vast land.
The governor made this known during a meeting with members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone A, led by its Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Abdulaziz Ibrahim Badaru, who presented him with an award of excellence in recognition of his efforts toward human capital development in technical and vocational education.
Governor Bago, a known advocate for agricultural investment, said the Polytechnic has large portions of land that are not being used productively. He encouraged the institution to take full advantage of the opportunity to engage in agriculture by partnering with Niger Foods.
According to him, “This move will not only increase agricultural production in the state but also benefit students studying agric-related courses by giving them practical experience.”
He also mentioned that the recent partnership with the Dangote Group is another strategic investment aimed at improving the standard of living in Wushishi and neighboring communities. “This investment will serve as a platform for people in the area to benefit economically,” Bago said.
The governor praised both Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru and Federal Polytechnic, Bida for their continuous technical support, noting that their expertise has contributed to the overall development of the state. “Polytechnics are the real hubs for developing technicians and scientists in our country,” he added.
Governor Bago expressed gratitude to ASUP for the award and assured the union of his administration’s unwavering commitment to education and workforce development. He said, “I appreciate the recognition and assure you that we will continue to support education at all levels.”
Speaking on behalf of ASUP, Dr. Badaru said the union decided to honor Governor Bago for his significant contributions to human capital development.
He highlighted that the governor has been consistent in employing qualified personnel to improve the quality of education at Niger State Polytechnic. “The governor has helped in the spread of knowledge across the state,” he said.
Dr. Badaru also applauded the governor’s impact in areas of agriculture and technology, stating, “Governor Bago has rescued Nigeria through his investment in farming and technology, two critical sectors for national progress.” He further commended the administration for prompt salary payments and timely staff promotions.
He concluded by calling on the governor to set up a Governing Council for the Polytechnic to further enhance its operational capacity.
