The Federal Government has intensified efforts to work out the modalities for the upgrade of Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH) to University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
Speaking at the institution’s 37th convocation, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad,noted that the upgrade of the institution was aimed at integrating hands-on technical training with advanced research, fostering innovation, economic growth and national development.
A total of 8,654 students received National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates for the 2023/2024 academic session.
They include 291 Distinctions, 2,434 Upper Credits, 4,403 Lower Credits and 1,526 Pass grades.
The President had approved the conversion of YABATECH to a university in February.
He said: ‘As you are aware, the Federal Government has approved the upgrading of YABATECH to Yaba Technical and Vocational University.
The committee constituted to work on the modalities to bring about seamless transition has already submitted its report. The recommendations are being considered.’
Tinubu noted that the government had prioritised Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences alongside technical and vocational education, stressing their importance to youth development and the nation’s growth.
He said Federal Ministry of Education has continued to align learning with employability through the expansion of vocational training and digital skills programmes.
Tinubu urged the graduates to be at the forefront of nation-building.
‘Through the Vocational Enterprise Institutes, over 960,000 trainees have been enrolled nationwide across more than 25 specialised trades, ensuring that young Nigerians acquire practical, market-ready skills.
‘In addition, the Ministry of Education is driving large-scale digital capacity-building programmes to equip graduates for success in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy. These initiatives include intensive digital literacy bootcamps in coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital marketing; e-learning platforms that provide access to certified online courses; structured internships and industrial attachments with leading technology companies; and the establishment of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs to nurture start-ups and small businesses,’ he said.
Tinubu added: ‘Nation building is not the responsibility of government alone; it is a sacred duty we all share.’
The Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, disclosed that the institution is on the path to becoming Nigeria’s first specialised University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
He praised President Tinubu for granting the approval, adding that the elevation positions the institution to power the nation’s next phase of innovation-driven development.
Abdul hoped that the transition to a specialised university would unlock new opportunities for research, skills development and national economic growth.
He noted that beginning this year, the convocation ceremony would be held yearly, saying that graduates would now receive their certificates on convocation day as part of new measures to improve administrative efficiency.
Abdul urged the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, adding that YABATECH had equipped them with both academic and compulsory vocational skills.