News Investigators/ President Bola Tinubu says converting Yaba College of Technology into a full university will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education framework.
He said the upgrade would position the institution for greater innovation, improved productivity, and stronger national economic impact in the years ahead.
Tinubu delivered this through the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, at Yabatech’s 37th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday in Lagos.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to modernising technical institutions and creating wider opportunities for young Nigerians interested in technology-driven careers.
Tinubu said the transition committee had submitted its final report, which government was now studying carefully before approving the next stage.
He explained that the review aimed to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated upgrade that aligns academic excellence with industry-focused vocational training standards.
Tinubu said the transition supports the Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects government’s belief in innovation as a foundation for national development.
He added that the shift will combine hands-on technical skills with advanced research capabilities across diverse scientific and engineering disciplines.
Tinubu said this integration would foster deeper innovation, stimulate economic growth, and support Nigeria’s next generation of skilled professionals.
He highlighted major digital training programmes currently expanding across the country with support from public and private partners.
The President listed coding, cybersecurity, data analytics and digital marketing as areas receiving significant training investment.
He said structured internships were being introduced to help students gain workplace experience within Nigeria’s expanding technology ecosystem.
Tinubu added that e-learning platforms were now offering certified online courses to strengthen digital literacy and improve youth employability.
He said innovation and entrepreneurship hubs were also nurturing start-ups, stimulating creativity and building capacity for remote global work.
The President stressed that no nation can progress without deliberate investment in its young people and their future.
He noted that government’s focus on wider educational access reflects its commitment to fairness and inclusive national development.
Tinubu said expanded infrastructure spending and the operational student loan scheme showed government’s determination to support all learners.
He disclosed that NELFUND had already disbursed more than N50 billion to 624,535 students across 303 institutions.
Tinubu added that the Students’ Venture Grant would further empower young people with innovative and economically relevant business ideas.
Addressing graduands, he said they were stepping into a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation journey.
Tinubu encouraged them to approach the future with courage, determination and a strong sense of purpose.
He urged them to apply their knowledge as job creators, problem solvers and visionary leaders committed to national progress.
Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of Yabatech, expressed delight over the presidential approval granting the college full university status.
He described the development as the strongest affirmation of Yabatech’s readiness to drive innovation-focused national growth.
Abdul thanked President Tinubu, relevant ministers and the Governing Council for their sustained support and guidance.
He said the institution had recorded strategic progress that strengthened academic excellence and improved vocational training systems.
The Rector noted that 8,654 graduands were leaving with strong academic competence and practical technical skills for a digital economy.
He said Yabatech graduates were prepared to become job creators capable of thriving within Nigeria’s shifting skills-based labour market.
Abdul gave the classification breakdown as 291 distinctions, 2,434 upper credits, 4,403 lower credits and 1,526 passes.
Earlier, Prof Funso Afolabi, Chairman of the Governing Council, said the Renewed Hope Agenda challenges institutions to rethink traditional learning systems.
He said Yabatech was adopting dynamic, technology-driven methods to nurture innovative thinkers and strong problem solvers.
Afolabi added that the institution aimed to produce graduates capable of generating employment and supporting sustainable national development.
He explained that curriculum reforms and improved research outputs were central to meeting the demands of the modern economy.
A key highlight was the conferment of Fellowship Awards on three distinguished Nigerians.
The recipients were Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Sen. Olamilekan Yayi and Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu.
Ani Faith, from the Department of Office Technology Management, was named the best overall graduating student.
She achieved a CGPA of 3.9 and also emerged the best female student of the session.
Ani received the Prince Lateef Fagbemi and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu annual awards for outstanding academic performance.
NAN