FUTD Participates in China’s International Seminar on Rail Transit Intelligence Control Systems
By OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD) has joined other key stakeholders from Nigeria at an international seminar on Rail Transit Intelligence Control Systems hosted by the China Railway Signal and Communication (CRSC) Group in Beijing, China.
The two-week programme, holding from November 20 to December 4, 2025, brings together representatives of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and FUTD with the aim of exposing Nigerian engineers and scholars to advanced global practices in intelligent train control technology.
The seminar follows a tripartite agreement signed on August 21, 2025, between the Federal Ministry of Transportation, FUTD, and CRSC during the university’s second matriculation ceremony.
The agreement includes plans to establish a Joint Intelligent Control Research Centre and to supply state-of-the-art intelligent train control laboratory equipment to FUTD in 2026.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at CRSC Headquarters in Beijing, the Chairman of CRSC, Mr. Zhang Jingfang, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and described the seminar as a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between CRSC and Nigeria.
“Since our establishment in 1953, CRSC has been committed to advancing rail transit intelligent control technology—not only for China, but as a partner in global progress,” Zhang said.
He noted that CRSC technologies are currently deployed in more than ten countries across four continents, including Nigeria, and reaffirmed China’s commitment to cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Zhang added that participants would undergo intensive training covering railway signalling, low-altitude control systems, factory processes, and Maglev technology, while also touring key CRSC facilities, while expression confidence that the programme would equip Nigerian delegates with practical knowledge to support Nigeria’s transportation development.
In her remarks, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Amb. Mrs. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, mni, commended CRSC for its sustained partnership with Nigeria. She recalled that the foundation of the collaboration was laid during the visit of Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation to CRSC headquarters in May 2024, and strengthened by the CRSC Vice President’s reciprocal visit to Nigeria in November 2024.
She described the seminar as a clear demonstration of China’s commitment to mutual respect, shared growth, and long-term technical cooperation, noting that Nigeria’s rail modernization drive must be matched by strong investments in human capacity.
“The seminar will equip Nigerian engineers, scholars, and practitioners with frontier knowledge in intelligent train control systems, build local expertise to manage and innovate Nigeria’s expanding rail infrastructure, and strengthen academic-industry linkages with FUTD as a centre of excellence in Africa,” she said.
She urged the participants to remain focused and serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTD, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, appreciated the Federal Ministry of Transportation, led by Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, for creating an enabling environment for the university’s rapid growth.
He expressed gratitude to CRSC for hosting the seminar and emphasised that the programme would deepen participants’ competencies in modern signalling, communication, and control systems while also enhancing cultural ties between Nigeria and China.
