President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, to become a university, according to Minister of Education Tunji Alausa.
During a working visit to the college today, February 14, he revealed this.
In addition to stating that the institution is an enduring legacy, the Minister added it is prepared and suitable to become a full-fledged university.
The Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulsaid some 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.
“This school is a legacy and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees in various fields, it is more than ready and fit to become a university.
“All the credit about this should go to the President who loves education and is concerned about giving the best to the youths who are our future leaders.”
The minister emphasized that preventing the Japa Syndrome is one of the reasons the Tinubu administration is emphasizing technical and vocational education and incorporating entrepreneurship into it.
He pointed out that Nigeria had abandoned technical and vocational education for more than thirty years in favor of creating graduates who were constantly looking for white-collar jobs, but that this was no longer the case.
“We are not taking the issue of artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and others with levity. We know that if our youths are good at those things, they can be in Nigeria and be working for firms in many parts of the world, and they will be earning foreign exchange. That will help stem this Japa of a thing, where people would travel abroad to do menial jobs.”