Management, Alumni Condemn Senate’s Move to Make ATBU Conventional Institution

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, and the national alumni of the institution have described as unacceptable, the legislation process by the National Assembly to convert the institution from a specialised university of technology to a conventional university, saying that the development came as a shock
The Registrar, Alhaji Kabiru Aminu, and the National President of ATBU Alumni, Mohammed Wada, who briefed journalists over the situation in Bauchi, stated that there was no official communication to the university management and the community, nor did the university receive any information to that effect from the Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“The vice-chancellor, who is the chief administrative and academic officer of the university, was not consulted, nor was the chairman of council nor the senate,” he added. “I, as the registrar, who is the custodian of the laws and regulations of the university, have not been contacted by anyone for any input.”
The registrar stated that “the university has made its position known; it is not aware of the process and therefore has no argument other than that it does not support the development and will ensure that the opposition to it stands”.
According to him, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, who sponsored the bill, did not contact the university about it, pointing out that, as an institution created by law, it ought to be contacted before any action is taken regarding the law.
On his part, Wada said that removing ‘Technology’ from ATBU’s name and law would fundamentally alter its identity and undermine its founding vision of driving technological advancement, industrial growth, and national development through science and innovation.
He said that the university’s technological focus has never limited its academic growth, stressing that instead of altering its laws, lawmakers should work towards strengthening the institution through better research funding, modern laboratories, and global partnerships.
“Instead of wasting energy and resources on changing the law, Senator Buba should put energy into supporting the university to do better. He can establish an endowment, build more lecture theatres, buy vehicles, and other development programmes; his name will be written in gold,” he said.
ATBU was established in 1980 as Federal University of Technology, Bauchi, and was renamed Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU).
Checks by our correspondent revealed that the Senate had, on October 21, 2025, passed the second reading of a bill seeking to amend the University Act to remove “Technology” from the institution’s name and convert it into a conventional university.
The amendment bill, titled Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB 910), aims to broaden the university’s mandate beyond science and technology, allowing it to introduce courses in law, social sciences, and other non-technical disciplines.
The senator representing Bauchi South, Shehu Buba, had sponsored the bill, which has passed second reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund for further legislative work.