Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has given a nod to the conversion of Yaba College of Technology to Federal University of Technology Yaba during a crucial visit to the institution.
This development, according to Dr. Alausa, is aimed at formally and expressly rolling out the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) agenda that aims at empowering youths with a variety of technical utility skills and reducing the rate of unemployment after tertiary studies.
In a bid to flag-off the STEMM agenda with Yabatech serving as the arrowhead for the operations involved in STEMM, Dr. Alausa gave his express approval, while noting that the paperwork is in place to officially confer the status of University of Technology on Yabatech.
The minister has been on a two-day tour across strategic academic institutes of learning in Lagos since Thursday, February 13, 2025. He concluded the two-day tour at Yaba College of Technology on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Dr. Alausa and his entourage had a conference meeting with the administrative board members of the institution to discuss plans about fully rolling out the STEMM agenda.
“I am very happy with the condition and environmental state of the school… It looks bigger than the last time I visited.
“It’s been about 40 years since the last time I visited Yabatech, and it still looks well kept and amazing.” Dr. Tunji remarked.
He then talked about the STEMM agenda and charged the administrative board to do more.
“You can do much better in terms of technological innovations and learning. It’s not enough to keep doing what was being done ten years ago.” He said.
In addition, he also advised the institution to increase their student intake capacity so as to admit more students into the institution and give many youth the opportunity to learn life-changing skills.
Furthermore, Dr. Alausa was taken on a tour around the facilities in the institution for quality assurance checks.
He commissioned a state-of-the-art I.C.T. DTA Skill Hub, fully furnished and equipped with modern computer systems and an express WiFi connection with about 150 sitting capacity.
Dr. Tunji commended the development and assured that the institution has all it takes to flag off the STEMM agenda.
Dr. Alausa also visited the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) Center, where young ladies are taught high-income tech skills such as web designing, graphic design, software engineering, etc.
At the close of the visit, the institution’s administration presented the achievements of the institution, reeling out the milestones attained by the institution over the years, including hefty grants from international bodies.
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, then pleaded with the minister to make their dream of transforming the institution from a college to a university of technology.
Dr. Alausa then declared that plans have been put in place to officially confer the status of university on the institution.
“I can assure you that your prayers are already answered. I have initially brought this up with the President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been taking difficult but necessary decisions to transform every sector, particularly the educational sector. He gave express approval, and I can assure you that your request has been granted.” he said.
“I will also take words back to him about your readiness; I’d tell him you have held me hostage and your desires must be granted.” Dr. Alausa assured.
