The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step toward transforming Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a full-fledged university, as a bill seeking its upgrade passed a second reading on Monday.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, and Other Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 738),” the legislation aims to formalise the institution’s transition and expand its academic and administrative framework.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND for further legislative scrutiny, with a directive to report back within four weeks.
On Tuesday, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) presided over the plenary session.
In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, said that the bill essentially seeks to transform and upgrade the YabaTech to Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, which has already been done via a presidential fiat.
Bamidele said, “This Bill seeks to establish Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State. The bill was read for the first time in this Hallowed Chamber on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
“The Bill essentially seeks to transform and upgrade the YabaTech to Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, which has already been done via a presidential fiat. Nigeria’s steady march towards achieving universal education in the shortest possible time has taken a giant leap with the introduction of this bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of this University.
He expressed enthusiasm about the development, noting that it would serve as a source of motivation for both students and academic staff. According to him, the upgrade would also improve the institution’s facilities and strengthen its ability to fulfil its academic objectives.
He further explained that the new University would promote inclusive access to higher and liberal education, offering opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, creed, sex, or political belief. He added that it would provide various instructional courses and learning facilities across various fields, ensuring access to qualified individuals. The University, he said, would also encourage scholarship and foster research across all disciplines, with a particular focus on technical education.
The senate leader continued that if the country was ready as planned, it should aim to become one of the world’s twenty leading economies in this 21st century, with good educational institutions whose products are geared towards technological challenges.
“Our educational authorities are moving to revamp our institutions to meet these objectives. The Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, when enacted by the National Assembly, will have the power to establish such campuses, colleges, faculties, institutes, schools, extra-mural departments and other teaching and research units within the University as may from time to time seem necessary or desirable subject to the approval of the National Universities Commission.
“To ensure continuity in the administration of the University, all property held by or on behalf of the Yaba Polytechnic shall be vested in the University and be held by it for the University. Notably, all staff of the Polytechnic are hereby transferred to the University, and previous service in the Polytechnic shall count as service for the purposes of any pension payable by the University.
“The institution is prepared to undertake the educational and other modifications that are a natural corollary of transforming into a university. The institution is also committed to upholding its core mandate of producing a well-trained workforce capable of driving the nation’s technological, management, and business objectives. In this regard, it will seek to emulate the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has built upon a tradition of distinction to become one of the world’s foremost educational institutions.”
He further affirmed his commitment to supporting the bill through the legislative process until it becomes law.
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