NUC Clears FUT Minna to Launch Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear Engineering Programmes

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved six new undergraduate academic programmes for the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, paving the way for their commencement in the 2026/2027 academic session.

The approval followed a comprehensive resource assessment exercise conducted by a team of experts from the NUC to evaluate the adequacy of human and material resources available for the proposed programmes.

The newly approved programmes are Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Artificial Intelligence, B.Tech. in Intelligence and Security Studies, Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Nuclear Engineering, B.Tech. in Nuclear Science, B.Tech. in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and B.Eng. in Mining Engineering.

The approval was conveyed in a letter signed on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, by the Commission’s Director of Academic Planning, Mr Abubakar M. Girei.

According to the letter, all six programmes will be offered on a full-time basis at the university’s main campus and will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The development marks another significant milestone for the institution as it continues to expand its academic offerings in response to emerging national and global demands in science, technology, engineering and innovation.

The introduction of programmes such as Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear Engineering and Intelligence and Security Studies is expected to strengthen the university’s contribution to technological advancement, national security, energy development and human capital formation.

The latest approval comes barely a week after FUT Minna emerged as the highest-performing institution in Nigeria under the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle.

The achievement was announced by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono, who disclosed that the university secured 18 research grants, the highest number awarded to any tertiary institution in the country.

According to Echono, a total of 174 research grants valued at N7.5 billion were awarded to research teams across Nigerian tertiary institutions following what he described as a rigorous and highly competitive selection process.

FUT Minna topped the list of beneficiary institutions ahead of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, which secured 11 grants.

Other institutions that recorded strong performances include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with 10 grants; the University of Ilorin, eight; Bayero University, Kano, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with seven grants each; and the University of Jos, which secured six grants.

The University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, each received five research grants.

Echono explained that the grants cover critical areas of national development, including Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Food Security, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Science and Engineering, Power and Energy, Blue Economy, Innovation and Technology in National Defence Capabilities, Clean and Affordable Energy, Education and Human Capital Development, Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion, as well as Conflict, Defence and Security.

The approval of the six new programmes, combined with the university’s outstanding performance in the National Research Fund scheme, further reinforces FUT Minna’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading institutions in technology-driven education, research and innovation.