Lagos, Nigeria – The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
Dr. Alausa shared the development during a working visit to the institution on Friday, addressing the college’s management, staff, and students.
According to the minister, the approval reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to advancing education and empowering Nigerian youths for leadership in a competitive global environment.
“The rector mentioned earlier that the staff, students, and management of YABATECH have been praying and fasting for this conversion.
I must let you know that when I discussed it with President Bola Tinubu, he immediately approved it.
We are now awaiting the necessary memo and protocols from the appropriate authorities,” Dr. Alausa said.
Highlighting the institution’s readiness for the transition, the minister noted that YABATECH boasts over 200 staff members with doctorate degrees across various disciplines.
He described the college as a legacy institution deserving of university status and lauded its contributions to technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa also commended YABATECH’s management for maintaining its facilities despite their age.
“I am impressed with your maintenance culture and your pursuit of excellence.
Innovation and investments in technology are critical for development, and I assure you that the federal government will support you,” he added.
Focus on Technical and Vocational Education
The minister emphasized the Tinubu administration’s focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), combined with entrepreneurship, as a strategy to curb youth emigration, popularly referred to as the “Japa Syndrome.”
He stressed the importance of equipping Nigerian youths with skills in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding, which would enable them to work remotely for global firms while residing in Nigeria.
“For over three decades, Nigeria neglected technical and vocational education in favor of producing graduates seeking white-collar jobs.
Related Posts
That focus has now shifted.
In Europe and other parts of the world, TVET is a core part of their education systems. We are adopting this approach to foster manufacturing, technological innovation, and private-sector growth,” Dr. Alausa explained.
YABATECH’s Vision for the Future
Earlier in his remarks, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, expressed gratitude for the government’s support and reiterated the institution’s aspiration to become a specialized university focused on technical and vocational education.
He emphasized that YABATECH aims to not only achieve university status but also distinguish itself as a hub for innovation and problem-solving.
“With over 200 PhD holders in our service, we are more than qualified to become a university.
However, we don’t want to be just another university.
We envision becoming a university of technical and vocational education that drives innovation and addresses societal challenges while contributing significantly to national development,” Dr. Abdul stated.
The rector highlighted several achievements under his administration and assured stakeholders of continued efforts to elevate the institution’s standards.
Legislative Process Underway
The Chairman of YABATECH’s Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, thanked the minister for his visit and urged his support in fast-tracking the conversion process.
The bill formalizing YABATECH’s status change and determining its new name is expected to be presented to the National Assembly for passage and subsequent presidential assent.
As Nigeria seeks to reposition its educational system to meet global demands, YABATECH’s transition to a university is seen as a significant step toward strengthening technical and vocational education in the country.
