Delay in YABATECH's Conversion to University Due to Pending Government Gazette

The conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies remains in limbo as the Federal Government has yet to issue the necessary official gazette. Rector Dr. Ibraheem Abdul revealed this during a recent press briefing held to announce the upcoming 38th convocation ceremonies of the college.

Dr. Abdul emphasized that the institution is well-prepared for its transformation, having already received legislative backing with the bill passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. He stated, "We are pretty much on course to becoming a University. What remains now is for the official gazette to be released by the Federal Government. When that is done, the institutional evaluation will be conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education, and then the National Universities Commission (NUC) would come and accredit our courses."

This move towards university status is seen as a pivotal step in enhancing the importance of technology-driven and vocational education in Nigeria, addressing the pressing need for human-capital and industrial development in the country. Dr. Abdul remarked, "Indeed, this historic conversion reflects the growing recognition by the President and the larger society of the importance of technology-driven and vocational education."

In conjunction with the convocation ceremonies, notable figures including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, along with Mrs. Itunu Omotayo, will be conferred Fellowships of the College. Additionally, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, is slated to deliver the convocation lecture, marking a significant event in the institution's calendar.