A proposed legislation to transform the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) from a specialized science and technology institution to a conventional university has ignited heated debates among education stakeholders in Bauchi State and beyond.
Legislative Move Sparks Immediate Reactions
The controversial bill, known as the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB 910), was sponsored by Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South. The legislation has already passed its second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund for further consideration.
The proposed amendment aims to broaden ATBU's academic scope beyond its current science and technology focus, allowing the institution to introduce courses in law, social sciences, and various non-technical disciplines.
Supporters and Opponents Voice Their Positions
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi State Chapter, Jibrin S. Jibrin, has thrown his weight behind the proposed conversion. He argued that Bauchi State remains the only state in the Northeast geopolitical zone without a conventional federal university, despite being the most populous state in the region.
"The conversion to a conventional institution would allow thousands of students within the catchment area to access art, humanities, and social science courses," Jibrin stated, commending Senator Buba's efforts.
However, the university management has expressed shock and disappointment over the legislative process. Registrar Kabir Garba Aminu revealed that management only learned about the bill through media reports, without any prior consultation from the bill's sponsors.
"The VC and I just woke up one morning to see a clip that our enabling law is going to be reviewed to convert the university from a specialized to a conventional institution," Aminu disclosed, emphasizing that neither the University Council nor the Senate had been consulted.
Alumni and Education Experts Weigh In
The National President of ATBU's alumni association, Mohammed Sani Wada, has joined the growing opposition to the bill. He expressed disappointment in the legislative process and confirmed that the alumni association rejects the proposed amendment.
Wada emphasized that ATBU remains the only institution specializing in technology across the entire Northeast region, suggesting that converting it to a conventional university would undermine its unique educational mandate.
Adding his voice to the debate, former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, advocated for maintaining ATBU's specialized status. He believes the university should retain its current mandate to preserve what he described as the "hard-earned" glory in science and technology education.
The controversy continues to unfold as stakeholders await the Senate Committee's decision on the fate of the specialized institution that has served as a cornerstone of technological education in Northern Nigeria.
