Katsayal Recounts Struggles Behind Establishing FUTD
By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar
The pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, has revealed the challenges and unique story behind the establishment of the institution, describing it as unlike any other university in Africa.
In an exclusive interview with Katsina Time, Professor Katsayal explained that the university emerged from an agreement between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Transportation and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) during the Lagos–Kano railway project.
“This university was not created merely to increase the number of universities in Nigeria. It was established to produce skilled professionals who would manage the modern railway system. Without this specialised training, the maintenance of the rail project would face serious obstacles,” he said.
According to him, the initial plan was to set up a railway training centre. However, the vision was later expanded to cover all modes of transport, rail, road, maritime, and aviation making it the Federal University of Transportation.
Professor Katsayal further disclosed that the institution was constructed under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arrangement with CCECC.
“It was not about financial donations. The government provided the land, while CCECC agreed to build the structures, with costs offset through payments from the railway contract,” he explained.
On challenges faced, Katsayal noted that the university had no budgetary allocation at inception, and he was the only appointee, without supporting administrative staff.
“I performed every task, from Vice Chancellor to clerical officer. I wrote letters, typed them, delivered them, and even followed up myself. At times, I slept in my car in Abuja out of exhaustion, only to continue work the next morning. This was after my salary from my former university stopped, yet here there was no budget or salary in place,” he recounted.
Despite these difficulties, the Vice Chancellor said he considered the role a rare opportunity to contribute to national development.
“This is a monumental national project with global significance. Establishing a university from scratch is never easy, but its long-term benefits are immeasurable,” Katsayal added.
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura, is the first of its kind in Africa, designed specifically to produce experts across the transportation sector.
This report is part of Katsina Time’s exclusive interview with Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. For the full English interview, follow Katsina Time TV on YouTube and other social media platforms.
