The federal government is set to transform the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) into a world-class degree-awarding university, the minister of state for water resources and sanitation, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has said.
The minister spoke during a familiarisation tour of NWRI in Kaduna.
Goronyo said having been established some 44 years ago as the only water institute in the country and with the array of academics who are committed to their profession, transforming the institute to award degrees in its areas of speciality, would boost food security, youth inclusivity, and tackle unemployment and insecurity.
The minister said the visit was part of their tour to agencies under the ministry to know what is on ground as part of their efforts to achieve the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “This is the only institution running courses like hydro technology, hydro-engineering, and irrigation in Nigeria. From information available to me, it was established in 1979, it has to go beyond this and become a world-class institution.
“We are trying to revitalise this place to become a world-standard degree-awarding university. With the food security agenda of Mr. President, the elevation of this institution would go a long way to address insecurity, unemployment, and youth inclusivity.
With the array of professors, doctors and staff committed to providing desired teaching and learning, it’s time for this institute to realise its mandate.
“I have seen the great achievement recorded by this institution but it can do more. I commend the DG for keeping this institute alive despite the meagre budget of the institute. We have seen novel efforts in the area of hydro engineering technology, dam assessment and reservoirs.
“The institute is supposed to grow bigger instead of stagnating. Stakeholders should come here and get world class training for their staff. The managing directors of river basins should utilize the institute maximally because it has technology that you cannot find anywhere.
Earlier, while welcoming the minister and his entourage, the director-general of the National Water Resources Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Adanu, lauded the staff and students of the institute, noting that they would have been able to achieve much more if not for the challenges inhibiting their activities such as paucity of funds and inadequate manpower.
