By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
TOWARDS ELEVATING technical education in Nigeria have received a significant boost, as the federal government has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, confirmed the development during a visit to the institution on Friday, assuring management, staff, and students that President Bola Tinubu has given the green light.
Alausa stated that the president acted swiftly upon receiving the proposal for the transition.
He noted that while awaiting formal documentation and necessary approvals, the decision was already in place.
The minister highlighted YABATECH’s legacy and its readiness for university status, citing its over 200 doctorate-holding staff members as evidence of its academic strength.
“This school is a legacy, and with such a strong academic workforce, it is beyond ready to become a university,” he said.
“All the credit goes to President Tinubu, who is deeply invested in the future of Nigerian youths and ensuring they receive the best education.”
During the visit, Alausa toured the college, inaugurating and inspecting several projects.
He commended the institution’s management for maintaining its facilities despite their age, emphasising the need for continuous investments in technology and innovation to drive national development.
He stressed that the federal government’s focus on technical and vocational education, alongside entrepreneurship, aims to address brain drain, commonly referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome.’
“We are prioritising artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and other technical skills because they offer opportunities for young Nigerians to work for global firms while residing in Nigeria,” Alausa explained.
“This will help curb the trend of people leaving for menial jobs abroad.”
He noted that Nigeria had for decades sidelined technical and vocational education in favour of traditional degree programmes, which primarily produce graduates seeking white-collar jobs.
However, he affirmed that the current administration is reversing this trend by integrating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into the national education framework.
“In advanced economies, TVET plays a key role in economic development, and we are now aligning with that model,” he stated.
“We need an education system that supports manufacturing, technological advancement, and a robust private sector to drive national progress.”
YABATECH Rector, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, expressed optimism about the institution’s new status, emphasising that it aspires to be a premier university of technical and vocational education.
“We are not just seeking a change of name; we want to be a university that drives innovation, solves societal challenges, and contributes to Nigeria’s advancement,” Abdul said.
“We have the expertise, and we now seek the necessary government support to bring this vision to life.”
Abdul also outlined several achievements of his administration and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to maintaining high academic and infrastructural standards.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Funso Afolabi, also thanked the minister for the visit, urging him to support the institution’s transition.
He said the next step involves sending a bill to the National Assembly to formalise YABATECH’s conversion into a university, detailing its new name and operational framework before securing presidential assent.
