A bill seeking to strip Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, of its status as one of Nigeria’s remaining universities of technology has triggered strong pushback from the institution’s alumni association, which warned that the move threatens the country’s already fragile technological capacity.
The amendment bill, sponsored by Bauchi South senator Shehu Buba, has passed second reading and is now three stages away from converting ATBU into a conventional university.
Passing the bill to the committee stage, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio commended Mr Buba for sponsoring the proposal and acknowledged lawmakers who contributed to the debate.
He recalled that the National Assembly had previously approved similar amendments, citing the conversion of the former Rivers State University of Science and Technology into Rivers State University after its takeover by the Federal Government.
“A bill for an act to amend the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Act, to remove ‘Technology’ from its name and make it a non-specialised university and for related matters, 2025 SB910 second reading taken,” Mr Akpabio said.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, which is expected to report back within four weeks.
Criticism has however intensified, particularly from the university’s alumni association, warning that the North-East region cannot afford to lose its only university of technology at a time when global competitiveness hinges on science, technology and innovation.
Nigeria needs more technology, not less’ – Alumni kicks
A statement signed by the national president of ATBU Alumni Association, Mohammed Wada, noted that the association has petitioned the senate committee to halt further action on the bill pending consultations with key stakeholders including the university’s management and governing council.
“The notion that converting ATBU into a ‘conventional’ university will somehow make it better is a profound misunderstanding of how higher education systems work. Diversity of institutional types such as technological, agricultural, medical, and conventional universities is what strengthens a national system. Uniformity weakens it.”
“Besides, at the moment ATBU is the only University of Technology in the North-East, but we are not short of conventional universities. In fact most of them are conventional.”
“ATBU is currently the only university of technology in the North East, yet we are not short of conventional universities. In fact, most of them are conventional,” he added.
Mr Wada argued that the proposal contradicts Nigeria’s development priorities, noting that countries worldwide are deepening investment in technology-driven education to remain competitive in the fourth industrial revolution.
“This bill comes at a time when Nigeria needs more technology, not less,” he said urging lawmakers instead to upgrade ATBU into a national centre of excellence for innovation and industrial development rather than “a conventional institution indistinguishable from dozens of others.”
Established in 1980 to produce engineers, technologists, scientists, and applied researchers capable of driving Nigeria’s industrialisation, ATBU has, according to Mr Wada, trained graduates who have contributed significantly to engineering, ICT, construction, energy, and agriculture.
“To remove ‘Technology’ from its name and law is to strip it of the very soul that defines its purpose. It would dilute the institution’s academic focus and betray the foresight of the founding fathers who envisioned ATBU as a pillar of Nigeria’s technological transformation.”
‘Strengthen, don’t dilute ATBU’
The alumni association maintained that the bill does not address any identifiable problem and that the university’s specialised status has never hindered its academic growth. Like other technology universities globally, ATBU has introduced complementary programmes in management, environmental studies and social sciences without abandoning its core mandate.
“Instead of trying to alter its law, the National Assembly should be focusing on strengthening ATBU, improving funding for research and innovation, expanding industrial linkages, modernising laboratories, and attracting global partnerships,” Mr Wada said.
Lack of consultation
The association further accused Senator Buba of failing to consult adequately with the university community, alumni, and relevant professional bodies despite repeated appeals.
“This hawkish approach of unilaterally deciding for a great institution like ATBU is neither appropriate nor logical. It portrays arrogance and ignorance. If Senator Buba must intervene, let him collaborate with the institution and help address its needs. Otherwise, leave ATBU alone,” Mr Wada said.
The university’s Registrar, Kabiru Garba, had also told journalists on Friday that the management was neither consulted nor informed at any stage of the legislative process.
Mr Garba said the development came as a shock to the university, adding that they only learnt about the bill through media reports.
“We woke up one morning to hear in the media that a motion had been presented in the Senate to amend the establishment law of the university. It came to us as a shock and a surprise,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that the management had submitted its position paper to the relevant authorities and would attend the public hearing to make its stance clear.