President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the transformation of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during his visit to the college on Friday, where he addressed students, staff, and management.
Dr. Alausa shared that the college community had been fervently hoping for this conversion. “The Rector mentioned moments ago that there have been prayers and fasting among the staff and students for this change. I must admit, you caught me off guard, but I want to assure you that President Tinubu promptly approved the proposal when we discussed it. I am now awaiting the formal memo and other required procedures,” he stated.
Highlighting the institution’s qualifications, he noted that YABATECH boasts over 200 faculty members with doctoral degrees, making it exceptionally prepared for university status. He emphasized that the credit for this advancement belongs to President Tinubu, who is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for Nigeria’s youth.
During his tour of the college, Dr. Alausa expressed his appreciation for the management’s commitment to maintaining the campus’s facilities, which remain in impressive condition despite their age.
“Your pursuit of excellence is commendable. We require innovation and investment in technology for development, and I assure you that the federal government will support these initiatives,” he affirmed.
The Minister also addressed the administration’s focus on technical and vocational education, linking it to efforts to combat the trend of youth emigration, commonly referred to as the “Japa Syndrome.”
He stated, “We take the importance of fields like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and coding very seriously. If our youth excel in these areas, they can work for international companies from Nigeria, earning foreign currency and reducing the urge to leave the country for low-skilled jobs abroad.”
Dr. Alausa pointed out that Nigeria had neglected technical and vocational education for over thirty years, concentrating instead on producing graduates seeking traditional white-collar jobs. “Countries in Europe have integrated technical and vocational education and training (TVET) into their core educational frameworks, and that is the direction we are heading,” he explained.
He underscored the necessity for an education system that fosters manufacturing and technological advancements, ultimately boosting the private sector and contributing to societal growth.
Earlier in the visit, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, the Rector of YABATECH, asserted that the institution’s extensive pool of PhD holders makes it more than qualified for university status. “While we are hopeful about this transition, we aspire to be more than just another university.
Our goal is to establish a university focused on Technical and Vocational Education that drives innovation and addresses societal challenges, significantly aiding our nation’s progress. We have the necessary expertise; we now need governmental support,” he articulated.
Dr. Abdul also highlighted the achievements of his administration, vowing to continue elevating the institution’s standards. Prof. Funso Afolabi, Chairman of the Governing Council, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his visit and requested assistance in fulfilling the college’s objectives.
The proposed legislation to formalize the college’s new status and name is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval and subsequent presidential assent.