President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s educational advancement.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the development during a working visit to the institution on Friday. He revealed that President Tinubu swiftly approved the request after their discussion. “The rector mentioned that staff, students, and management have been praying and fasting for this transition. When I discussed it with President Tinubu, he approved it without hesitation. I am now awaiting the necessary memo and official protocols,” Alausa stated.
YABATECH Ready for University Status
The minister commended YABATECH for its academic contributions, emphasizing that the institution is well-equipped for the transition. “This school is a legacy. With over 200 PhD holders on staff, it is more than ready to become a university. All credit goes to the president, who prioritizes education and wants the best for our youths,” he said.
Alausa highlighted that the conversion aligns with Tinubu’s vision of strengthening technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education, which could reduce the mass exodus of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
“We are taking artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding seriously. If our youths are skilled in these areas, they can work remotely for global firms while residing in Nigeria, earning foreign exchange. This will help curb the ‘Japa’ syndrome where Nigerians leave for menial jobs abroad,” he added.
YABATECH’s Vision
Earlier, YABATECH’s Rector, Ibrahim Abdul, reiterated the institution’s commitment to innovation and problem-solving. “We don’t want to be just another university. We aim to be a university of technical and vocational education that drives innovation and addresses societal challenges,” he said.
With over 200 PhD holders, Abdul emphasized that YABATECH has the expertise and only requires government backing to fulfill its aspirations.