- The minister highlighted the administration’s focus on technical and vocational education
President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education landscape.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, confirmed the approval on Friday during a visit to the institution. Addressing staff and students, he revealed that Tinubu swiftly endorsed the upgrade after discussions on the matter.
“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.
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