The Federal University of Science and Technology (FUST), Kabo, Kano State, has secured accreditation for 20 academic programmes, including medical courses, ahead of the commencement of its maiden academic session.

The development marks a major step in the take-off of the institution, which was upgraded from the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, to a full-fledged university in 2025.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who disclosed his satisfaction with the development, urged the university’s Governing Council and management to sustain the progress by maintaining high academic standards.

Barau spoke on Thursday when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council, Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, led members of the council on a courtesy visit to him at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Laoye-Tomori, a former deputy governor of Osun State, said securing accreditation for 20 programmes, including medical courses, had placed the institution on a strong footing to commence academic activities.

She attributed the development to the support of Barau, who sponsored the legislation that led to the establishment of the institution as a federal polytechnic in 2016 and its subsequent conversion into a university in 2025.

According to her, the senator’s intervention was driven by a vision to expand access to higher education for young Nigerians, particularly those in northern Nigeria.

She commended him for sustaining his commitment to the institution’s development, saying the accreditation achievement reflected the progress made towards establishing a university capable of delivering quality science and technology education.

Responding, Barau congratulated the governing council, management and staff on securing accreditation for the programmes within a relatively short period.

He called on the university authorities to consolidate the achievement through quality teaching, effective administration and adherence to academic standards.

The deputy Senate president also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for signing the legislation that facilitated the conversion of the polytechnic into a university.

He said investment in education and skills development remained essential to harnessing Nigeria’s human resources, particularly its youthful population.

Barau reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the institution, stressing that expanding access to quality education would help prepare young people for national development.

The accreditation of the 20 programmes represents an important milestone for the university as it prepares to admit students for its first academic session.