President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the transformation of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university, signaling a major change in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education sector.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, verified this decision during a visit to the institution, informing staff and students that Tinubu promptly sanctioned the upgrade following discussions on the issue.
“This school is a legacy, and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees, it is more than ready to become a university,” Alausa said. He praised the institution’s commitment to excellence and assured government support for innovation and technological advancement.
The minister highlighted the administration’s focus on technical and vocational education, adding that entrepreneurship training would be integrated to curb the growing trend of Nigerian youths seeking opportunities abroad, commonly referred to as the “Japa Syndrome.”
“We are prioritising artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding so our youths can work remotely for global firms while staying in Nigeria,” he said.
The rector of YABATECH, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, expressed confidence in the institution’s readiness for the transition, emphasising its ambition to become a leading university for technical and vocational education.
The formalisation of the upgrade awaits official documentation and further government processes.