The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) National Alumni Association has strongly opposed a proposed bill seeking to convert the institution from a specialized University of Technology into a conventional university.
In a statement signed by the association’s National President, Mohammed Sani Wada, the alumni described the bill sponsored by Senator Shehu Buba Umar as “a wrong intervention, by the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong manner, for no good reason.”
Wada warned 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.
“ATBU was established in 1980 to produce engineers, technologists, and scientists to power Nigeria’s industrial progress. Its mandate remains as relevant today as ever,” Wada said. “The world is moving deeper into technology and innovation; this is not the time to weaken one of Nigeria’s leading technological institutions.”
He argued that the bill offers “no clear benefit” to students, staff, or the nation, stressing that the university’s technological focus has never limited its academic growth. Instead of altering its law, he urged lawmakers to strengthen the institution through better research funding, modern laboratories, and global partnerships.
The association also criticized Senator Umar for allegedly failing to consult stakeholders, describing his move as “unilateral, retrogressive, and politically motivated.”
Wada added that ATBU remains the only University of Technology in Nigeria’s North East region and plays a crucial role in producing skilled manpower for national development.
“The future demands more science, more engineering, and more innovation not less,” Wada stated. “Nigeria’s progress will not come from turning technology universities into conventional ones, but from empowering them to deliver on their mandates.”
The alumni urged the National Assembly to reject the bill and preserve ATBU’s legacy as a pillar of Nigeria’s technological education system.
