By Habeeb Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university, marking another major upgrade for Nigeria’s polytechnic education system, following the transformation of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) into Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) in 2022.
The approval was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a working visit to the institution on Friday. Addressing the management, staff, and students of the college, Alausa confirmed that Tinubu did not hesitate in granting the request when he presented it to him.
“The rector said some minutes ago that the staff, students, and management of the college have been praying and fasting that it be converted to a university. Somehow, you have kind of ambushed me, but I must let you know that when I discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, he did not waste time in approving. I am just waiting for the memo and other necessary protocols from the appropriate quarters,” the minister stated.
YABATECH, established in 1947 as Nigeria’s first higher institution, will now follow in the footsteps of LASPOTECH, which was converted into LASUSTECH by the Lagos State Government. The transition aligns with a broader effort to reposition technical and vocational education for national development.
The minister emphasized the need for Nigeria to prioritize technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education, similar to practices in Europe and other developed economies. He noted that the Tinubu administration is committed to integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding into Nigeria’s education system to reduce the country’s high migration rates.
The Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, highlighted that the institution already has over 200 PhD holders among its academic staff, making it well-prepared for the transition. “We don’t just want to be a university; we want to be a university of technical and vocational education that will bring innovation and solve societal problems,” Abdul stated.
The conversion will require legislative backing, as a bill to formalize YABATECH’s new status and name is expected to be sent to the National Assembly for passage and presidential assent.
With this move, YABATECH is set to join LASUSTECH and other institutions transitioning from polytechnics to specialized universities, reinforcing Nigeria’s focus on technical and vocational education as a driver of innovation and economic growth.
