In a groundbreaking announcement that promises to reshape Nigeria’s educational landscape, Minister of Education, Dr. Moruf Olatunji Alausa, revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited transformation of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a full-fledged university.
The landmark decision was disclosed by Dr. Alausa during his visit to the institution, where he also inaugurated key projects, engaged with staff, and collaborated with industry partners.
This transformation marks a pivotal moment for the institution, which has long been at the forefront of technical education in Nigeria. Dr. Alausa expressed his excitement over the approval, revealing that the decision came swiftly after he raised the matter with President Tinubu. While still awaiting the official memo and procedural steps, the minister assured the YABATECH community that the wheels are now in motion for this historic change.
“YABATECH is more than ready for this transformation,” Dr. Alausa remarked. “With over 200 doctoral-level faculty members, the institution is well-equipped to take on the responsibilities of a university. This milestone reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth and ensuring that they receive world-class educational opportunities.”
The Minister also underscored the urgent need for a shift in Nigeria’s educational priorities. Rather than focusing solely on traditional white-collar job training, Dr. Alausa called for an emphasis on building a technically skilled workforce in critical areas such as Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) and STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences).
He stressed that this transformation aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for a future-driven education system designed to equip Nigeria’s youth with the skills required for a modern, industrialized economy.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted the nation’s high unemployment rates, blaming the skills gap among graduates for the widespread lack of job opportunities. With millions of students seeking higher education every year, the minister proposed a bold vision for reform, including the expansion of innovative online certification programs in fields like software development, AI, and machine learning.
According to him, these short-term courses, he explained, would enable graduates to secure high-paying jobs in global tech hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong, earning between $3,000 and $4,000 per month.
The minister called for a total reimagining of Nigerian higher education institutions as engines of innovation, research, and industry partnerships.
He urged YABATECH to collaborate with private investors to solve challenges like accommodation shortages, stressing that such partnerships would alleviate the financial burden on the government.
“Leadership and foresight are key to transforming our education system,” Dr. Alausa stated confidently. “With these strategic changes and a commitment from the government, we can create a brighter future for our students—and for the country.”
Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Abdul Ibraheem, expressed his enthusiasm for the minister’s visit, noting that the institution is more than qualified to make the leap to university status. “We are not just aiming to become a university—we want to be a beacon of innovation and problem-solving in the field of Technical and Vocational Education. With the right support, we can elevate YABATECH to a global standard.”
Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funso Isola Afolabi, also emphasized the college’s groundbreaking efforts to pioneer new models in technical education, research, and partnerships with industry.
He highlighted the creation of YABATECH’s Epe campus, a move that underscores the institution’s commitment to modernizing education in Nigeria.
With this game-changing transformation, YABATECH is set to redefine higher education in Nigeria, paving the way for a new generation of highly skilled, internationally competitive graduates.
This moment marks a turning point, not just for the college, but for the future of Nigerian education.
