The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has pledged to work with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the actualisation of the proposed Federal Polytechnic, Yabo, if elected governor in 2027.
Dan’iya, who described the institution as a strategic investment in education, skills development and economic growth, questioned the delay in the commencement of the project, saying about two years had elapsed since the preparatory process began.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, on Saturday, the ADC candidate said the prolonged delay in taking the project from the preparatory stage to construction required urgent explanation and intervention.
He said: ‘It is unacceptable that a project intended to expand access to tertiary and technical education in Sokoto State should remain at the preparatory stage for so long.
‘Two years is too long for a project of such importance to remain without a clear path to full implementation, particularly when young people across Sokoto South are waiting for institutions that can provide them with practical skills and higher educational opportunities.’
Dan’iya noted that a Federal Ministry of Education delegation, accompanied by officials of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), inspected the proposed temporary site in Yabo in July 2025.
He also pointed to the provision of N460 million in the 2026 Sokoto State Budget for the renovation of the temporary site of the Federal Polytechnic Yabo.
According to him, the developments indicate that the project has progressed beyond the proposal stage, stressing the need for the authorities to establish a definite timeline for resolving outstanding issues and commencing operations.
The ADC candidate pledged that, if elected, his administration would make the actualisation of the institution a priority in its engagements with the Federal Government.
He said the state government would work with the Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District and members of the House of Representatives from the zone to address outstanding issues relating to land, compensation, infrastructure and administration.
Dan’iya said: ‘Working alongside the Senator representing Sokoto South and the Federal House of Representatives members from the zone, our government would pursue the resolution of outstanding land, compensation, infrastructural and administrative issues and demand a clearly defined implementation timetable.’
He said the proposed polytechnic should not merely be established as another tertiary institution, but developed into a modern centre for technical education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to him, the institution should have well-equipped laboratories, engineering workshops, digital learning facilities and innovation and entrepreneurship centres, with programmes tailored to Nigeria’s emerging technology and industrial needs.
He added: ‘Students from low-income families should have meaningful opportunities to acquire technical skills, while the institution itself should become a catalyst for employment, entrepreneurship, local commerce and economic development in Yabo and neighbouring communities.’
Dan’iya further said the project would complement his broader education agenda, which includes expanding access to quality education, strengthening science and technical education, integrating technology and artificial intelligence into learning and creating stronger pathways from education to employment.
He urged the Federal Government, NBTE, National Assembly members and other stakeholders to move the project from administrative preparation to construction and eventually full academic operations.
‘The people of Yabo and the entire Sokoto South Senatorial District deserve to see the project become a functioning institution rather than another development promise left waiting for years,’ Dan’iya said.