Jonathan O. Ndagi (Waziri Magartakarda Nupe)

Jonathan Osman Ndagi, widely known by his traditional title Wazirin Makaranta Nupe (also rendered Waziri Magartakarda Nupe), was a Nigerian educator and elder statesman who became the first Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He died on 31 October 2026 at the age of 96, according to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who announced the news and praised his contribution to education in the state.

Born on 12 November 1929 in Katcha, in present day Niger State, Ndagi began his schooling at Christ Church School in Gusau before continuing at the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria. He later studied at University College Ibadan, now the University of Ibadan, and earned a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin in 1969. His early career was in the classroom, teaching at the Teachers College in Minna and at Niger Middle School and Government College in Bida.

Ndagi's most lasting legacy was his role in building the Federal University of Technology, Minna from its founding. When the university was established in 1983 to advance science, engineering and technology education in Nigeria, he was appointed its pioneer Vice Chancellor, a post he held until 1990. Colleagues and officials who paid tribute after his death described him as an academic whose decades of work helped shape human capital development in Niger State and beyond. His standing in the community was further reflected in the Nupe chieftaincy title Wazirin Makaranta Nupe, which recognised his lifelong dedication to learning.

In his personal life, Ndagi was married to Comfort Yiye and the couple had one son and four daughters. He was also known as a prolific author, and in his later years he published a memoir reflecting on his long life. He held the national honours OON (Officer of the Order of the Niger) and OFR (Officer of the Federal Republic).

News of his death prompted tributes from Niger State's political and academic leadership. Governor Bago, who announced the death, called him an elder statesman whose impact on education was significant. Dr Mohammed K. Santuraki, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, also expressed sadness at the loss of the university's founding Vice Chancellor, noting that he died at what was described as a remarkable age of 96. No cause of death has been made public, and funeral arrangements had not been announced as of the day his death was reported.