By Mahdi Waziri Isa
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura, FUTD, has commenced the construction of Africa’s first Centre for Railway Signal & Communication, a facility described as the second of its kind in the world after China.
The groundbreaking and foundation-laying ceremony was performed on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, by the Vice-Chancellor, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni.
The project was secured under Prof. Katsayal’s leadership through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, 2026 Annual Intervention.
According to a statement signed by the university’s Chief Information and Communication Officer, Umar Usman, the centre will serve as a hub for research and training in intelligent and smart transportation across railway, maritime, aviation, and road systems. It will also have the capacity to monitor railway traffic within Nigeria and across Africa.
Delivering his remarks, Prof. Katsayal thanked TETFund for its various interventions to the university and commended the contractor, Yanduna Global Ventures Nig. Limited, for mobilizing to site before receiving any funding for the project.
He urged the contractor and consultants to maintain the tempo and ensure quality work while meeting the expected timeline for completion.
“While work is going on for the construction of the centre, the Chinese government is shipping the equipment to be installed,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“All equipment to be used are to be donated by the China Railway Signal and Communication, CSRC, which was born out of a tripartite agreement signed in August 2025 between the company, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the University,” he added.
Prof. Katsayal later unveiled the project plaque to officially flag off the construction.
Speaking on behalf of the contractor, the Project Consultant, Engr. Dr. Lawal Salisu, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the confidence reposed in Yanduna Global Ventures to execute the historic project.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor for his continued efforts to secure high-impact projects for the young university, while assuring him of quality delivery.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Ahmad Abubakar, described the project as a world-class facility coming to Daura with the capacity to shape the future of transportation education in the country.
He congratulated the Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students on the project and applauded the Vice-Chancellor for securing it for the university.
He expressed hope that the project would be judiciously utilized and would transform Nigeria’s transportation industry.