Senate okays upgrade of Yabatech to technology varsity

The Senate yesterday approved the upgrade of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) to City University of Technology, Yaba.

A bill sponsored by Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) received unanimous endorsement from the senators with Ibrahim Gobri (Sokoto East) seconding.

Gobri said that Yabatech had been in existence for quite sometime and have been producing engineers and technologists who have contributed so much to the development of the country.

However, Muhammad Aliero (Kebbi Central) said since the bill is not asking for a new university but simply the upgrading of the college to a full-fledged university, there would be less financial burden.

Ashafa said Nigeria’s steady march towards education for all in the shortest possible time had taken a giant leap with the introduction of this Bill for Act to provide for the establishment of the City University of Technology, Yaba, and other related matters.

He said the prospect of transforming the polytechnic to a university of technology would upgrade its facilities and enhance its capability to achieve its objectives.

Besides, he said it would relate its activities to the social, cultural and economic needs of the people of Nigeria and undertakes any other activities appropriate for a university of the highest standards.

In a related development, the upper legislative chamber also passed the bill on the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Iwerekun, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The bill, which was also sponsored by Ashafa, seeks to establish the polytechnic to provide full-time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for its general administration.

According to him, the essence of the bill is to provide a highly specialised institution that will disseminate knowledge related to the development of technology, applied science management and other fields of study.

“The Federal Polytechnic, Iwerekun, Ibeju-Lekki when established, will award National Diplomas (ND) and Higher National Diplomas (HND) in Technology, Applied Science Management and other relate fields,” he said.