YABATECH Rector Lists 20 Reasons for Renaming College as Yaba Technical and Vocational University

The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. (Engr.) Ibraheem Abdul, has presented 20 compelling justifications for renaming the institution Yaba Technical and Vocational University, a proposed specialized university that retains the iconic acronym YABATECH.

Speaking at the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND’s one-day public hearing in Abuja, Dr. Abdul urged lawmakers to accelerate the legislative process converting the college to a university, while preserving its historical identity and relevance in Nigeria’s educational landscape.

“We are submitting a memorandum asking the National Assembly to champion this transformation and officially adopt the name Yaba Technical and Vocational University, so we can maintain the YABATECH acronym,” Dr. Abdul stated.

A Case for History, Structure, and National Impact

Founded in 1947, YABATECH holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first tertiary institution. Dr. Abdul emphasized that its transformation into a university goes beyond mere rebranding—it’s a recognition of over seven decades of national service, infrastructure growth, and academic excellence.

According to him, the college has the capacity, infrastructure, and human resources to operate at university level without requiring a complete structural overhaul.

“We have over 2,000 staff, more than 50 PhD holders, and well-equipped laboratories, workshops, and classrooms. What we need are targeted upgrades, not wholesale construction,” he explained.

Leading the Charge in Technical and Vocational Education

Describing YABATECH as a national leader in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Abdul noted that the institution consistently produces industry-ready graduates and serves as a model for other polytechnics across the country.

He argued that the proposed university would expand this legacy by offering advanced technical degrees while preserving the TVET philosophy. He also cited over 100 accredited programmes, a robust quality assurance system, and readiness for high-level academic research and training.

Bridging Nigeria’s Skills Gap Through Innovation

Dr. Abdul highlighted that the Nigerian labour market continues to suffer from a skills mismatch, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

“Upgrading YABATECH will enable us to deliver education in these critical emerging fields, establish research centres, generate patents, and collaborate directly with industries,” he said.

According to him, the transformation would not only bridge technical education gaps but also position the new university to become a hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Senate Backs Move with No Financial Implication

Supporting the transformation, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, who sponsored the bill, described the college as a premier institution in Nigeria. He assured stakeholders that the conversion will have no financial burden on the government, as YABATECH already has the foundational infrastructure in place.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse, applauded the engagement of stakeholders and assured them that their submissions and expectations would not be ignored.

“The level of participation shows how important this transformation is to Nigerians. We will not disappoint you,” Dandutse stated.

Unanimous Support from Stakeholders

At the public hearing, stakeholders across education, industry, and civil society voiced unanimous support for the transformation of YABATECH and five other institutions listed by the Senate. They urged the National Assembly to fast-track the necessary legislation to finalize the conversion process.