The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Ibraheem Abdul, says the institution is awaiting the release of the Federal Government’s official gazette to complete its conversion into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
Abdul disclosed this on Friday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a briefing ahead of the institution’s 38th convocation ceremony.
He said the National Assembly had passed the bill for the conversion and President Bola Tinubu had signed it into law, adding that the institution was fully prepared for the transition.
According to him, the next step is the publication of the gazette, after which the Federal Ministry of Education will conduct an institutional evaluation, followed by accreditation of its academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The rector described the conversion as a landmark development that underscores the growing recognition of technology-driven and vocational education as critical to Nigeria’s human capital and industrial development.
Meanwhile, Abdul announced that 10,886 students would graduate at the 38th convocation ceremony.
Of the graduating students, 361 earned distinctions, 3,160 obtained upper credit, 5,696 secured lower credit, while 1,669 graduated with pass grades.
He also disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; and Mrs Itunu Omotayo would be conferred with the Fellowship of the College.
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat, is expected to deliver the convocation lecture titled, “From Silos to Synergy: Reimagining Nigeria’s Tertiary Education System for National Transformation.”
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, will chair the occasion.
Abdul further reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to entrepreneurship education, describing the establishment of the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre as evidence of its drive to equip students with practical and business-oriented skills.