YABATECH Graduate 10,886 Students, Confer Fellowship Awards on Alausa, Oyedele

Funmi Ogundare

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) is set to graduate a total of 10,886 students at its 38th convocation ceremonies, which will feature the awards of diplomas, certificates and prizes to deserving students of the 2024/2025 academic session across its full- time, part-time and Centred for Open, Distance and Flexible e-Learning (CODFeL).
The graduating students , comprised 361 students graduating with distinction, 3,160 with upper credit, 5,696 with lower credit and 1,669 with pass grades.
The college will also confer its prestigious Fellowship honours on the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele; and distinguished alumna, Mrs. Itunu Omotayo, in recognition of their contributions to education, public administration, economic development, professional excellence and national advancement
The Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, who disclosed this weekend, at a pre-convocation press conference, which kicked-off with a Jumat Service, on November 13, described the figures as a reflection of the institution’s sustained commitment to expanding access to quality technological and vocational education while maintaining academic standards.
He congratulated the graduands, particularly the 361 students who achieved distinction, and commended lecturers, technologists, administrators, parents and other stakeholders for their contributions to the students’ academic success.
The rector also disclosed that the overall best graduating student at the Higher National Diploma (HND) level emerged from the Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.96, while the best National Diploma (ND) student came from the Department of Mechatronics, also in the School of Engineering, with the same CGPA of 3.86.
Emphasising on the three distinguished Nigerians to be honoured as Fellows of the College, Abdul said Omotayo, an alumna of the Accountancy Department, School of Management and Business Studies, who graduated in 1986, had demonstrated exceptional commitment to her alma mater.
According to him, “members of her graduating class, under her leadership as president, recently committed over N100 million towards the renovation of the School of Management and Business Studies building.
He described the intervention as an inspiring demonstration of alumni loyalty, institutional partnership and the importance of giving back to society.
On Alausa, Abdul stated, “the honour recognised his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s education sector, particularly efforts to strengthen educational institutions, improve access to quality education and advance reforms aimed at human capital development.”
.The rector said the grand convocation ceremony would hold on November 19 at the Dr. Phillip Adegbile Sports Complex where diplomas, certificates and prizes would be presented to the graduands, alongside the conferment of the Fellowship honours.
He disclosed that the college had invited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Visitor to the institution, to grace the occasion.
The convocation activities will also feature a lecture on November 17, to be delivered by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, themed, ‘From Silos to Synergy: Reimagining Nigeria’s Tertiary Education System for National Transformation’.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, is expected to chair the lecture.
Abdul said the theme was intended to stimulate conversations on the need for stronger collaboration among universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, research institutions, government agencies and the private sector to address national challenges, promote innovation and produce graduates equipped for the changing world of work.
Speaking on the institution’s achievements, the Rector described the federal government’s approval for the conversion of YABATECH into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, as a historic milestone in the institution’s development.
He said the new status would provide opportunities to deepen applied research, technological innovation, advanced skills acquisition and industry-responsive education.