President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos State into a university, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Friday during a working visit to the institution.
Alausa stated that Tinubu readily endorsed the proposal, only awaiting official correspondence and necessary protocols from the appropriate authorities before formalizing the transition.
*”The rector mentioned earlier that staff, students, and management have been praying and fasting for this conversion. Somehow, you have kind of ambushed me,”* the minister said.
*”All the credit goes to the president, who is deeply committed to education and ensuring that our youth receive the best opportunities.”*
The minister highlighted YABATECH’s academic strength, noting that over 200 staff members hold doctorate degrees, making the institution well-positioned for university status.
Speaking during the visit, YABATECH Rector, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, emphasized the institution’s readiness to operate as a university and called for Federal Government support.
*”While we pray to become a university, we don’t want to be just another university. We aspire to be a university of technical and vocational education—one that drives innovation, solves societal problems, and significantly contributes to national development,”* Abdul stated.
Also present was the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, who expressed gratitude to the minister and sought further assistance in achieving the institution’s goals.
The announcement marks a significant step in the evolution of YABATECH, one of Nigeria’s foremost technical institutions, and aligns with the government’s push for higher education reforms.
