NAPS Endorses Transformation of YABATECH into Technical and Vocational University

Funmi Ogundare

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has endorsed the federal government’s initiative to transform Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a technical and vocational university.
The endorsement comes amid earlier concerns within the student body that the transition might diminish YABATECH’s historic identity and significance within the polytechnic system.
However, during a fact-finding visit to the college management, recently at the Council Chamber, NAPS executives, led by the National President, Eshofune Oghayon, expressed full support for the move after being assured that the transformation is not towards a conventional university, but a specialised institution focused on technical and vocational education.
“This clarification aligns with our goals, and we now lend our full support to the transition.
“YABATECH has been a pride of the association. We were not comfortable with the move at first, especially since YABATECH is considered the most complete structure under NAPS, he said.”
The Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, explained that the idea for university status has been in development since 2000 and is a strategic step to elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to the highest academic level.
“We are not being turned into a theoretical university,” he said. “This is a long-standing plan to champion TVET at the university level, something Nigeria urgently needs.”
He emphasised that the conversion is in line with the institution’s historical progression and Nigeria’s national development goals. “The polytechnic is the bedrock of technological advancement, and we want to give TVET a voice at the highest level,” he said.
NAPS, while reiterating its commitment to national development and student welfare, also called on the government to elevate the status of the Higher National Diploma (HND) and to consider converting the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to a national commission.
“We are not against progress, but students’ voices must be heard in every reform. We will continue to constructively engage authorities on issues affecting polytechnic students.”
Chairman of the NAPS Stakeholders Committee,a Mohammed Abdullakiz Sarkis, urged the institution to maintain its core identity during the transition and remain a beacon for technical education in Nigeria.