Tag: Yabatech

• By Adekunle Gbadebo,

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has taken another decisive step in strengthening its research and data-driven governance architecture as 46 members of staff successfully completed a six-week intensive training on Digital Survey Tools for Research and Evidence-Based Decisions.

The capacity-building programme was organised by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE) and focused on equipping participants with modern digital methodologies for collecting, analysing and utilising high-quality research data in real time.

Speaking on the significance of the training, the college noted that the initiative aligns with its strategic vision of deepening a culture of evidence-based decision-making, academic excellence and institutional efficiency.

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Participants were trained to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable insights, thereby enhancing the quality of research outputs and policy formulation within the institution.

According to the Director, Centre for Human Resource Development, Dr Moruf  Adebakin, the programme has positioned YABATECH to better respond to contemporary research demands in an increasingly digital academic environment.

“In today’s world, data is only as valuable as the tools used to collect it. This training has empowered our staff with cutting-edge digital survey skills that will significantly improve research quality and institutional decision-making across Yaba College of Technology,” he said.

At the end of the programme, Mr. Israel Oludayo Ogundele emerged as the Best Graduating Participant, leading a cohort of highly motivated staff members drawn from various academic and administrative units of the College.

The college described the successful completion of the programme as another milestone in its ongoing efforts to reposition YABATECH as a hub for modern research excellence, innovation and capacity development in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

With this achievement, YABATECH continues to demonstrate leadership in building institutional competence, enhancing staff capacity and promoting data-informed solutions that support national development.

By Sanusi Opeyemi,

Stakeholders in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector have called for a decisive shift towards evidence-based and data-driven policy making, as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) rolled out key digital platforms aimed at strengthening regulation, planning and institutional accountability.

The call was made at a high-level capacity-building workshop hosted by Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), where the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, NBTE Digital Quality Assurance Platform and Data Management and Visualisation tools were presented as policy enablers for effective governance of TVET institutions nationwide.

 Rector of YABATECH, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said sustainable education policy can no longer be built on fragmented, manual and unreliable data, stressing that digital infrastructure is now central to institutional effectiveness and national development planning.

“Policy decisions in today’s education ecosystem demand instant access to credible data, verifiable records and measurable outcomes. Without this, institutions risk falling out of regulatory alignment and losing relevance in meeting Industry and national skills priorities,” he said.

Abdul explained that beyond improving administration, integrated digital systems provide policymakers with real-time insights into student enrolment, graduation rates, staffing and skills outcomes – critical indices for informed decisions on funding, accreditation and workforce planning.

 He noted that digitalisation also reduces discretionary human interference, thereby strengthening transparency and curbing corruption in the system.

He hailed NBTE for providing a regulatory framework that aligns digital transformation with skills development, noting that technology, when properly deployed, enhances rather than replaces hands-on training and skills acquisition.

Director of Academic and Strategic Planning, NBTE, Malam Lemu, described the workshop as a deliberate policy intervention designed to harmonise institutional data flows with national education objectives.

According to him, the introduction of ERP represents a strategic consolidation of NBTE’s multiple operational portals into a single policy-support architecture capable of generating consistent and comparable data across institutions.

“With ERP, accreditation, quality assurance, staffing, student records and service portals are brought under one platform. This allows regulators and policymakers to identify trends, gaps and emerging needs, rather than responding to issues on an ad-hoc basis,” he said.

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Lemu added that the establishment of Data Management Units across institutions, in line with federal directives, was intended to institutionalise data governance and ensure that policy formulation at both institutional and national levels is driven by validated information rather than estimates.

 Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said the board’s digital reform agenda was anchored on the need to rebuild trust in TVET data and restore confidence in policy outcomes.

He noted that manual data processes had historically weakened planning, accreditation and international credibility of Nigeria’s TVET system, adding that digital platforms now provide policymakers with traceable, auditable and real-time information.

Prof. Bugaje, who was represented by his Technical Adviser on ICT, Dr Babaginda Albaba, said: “Policy fails when data is unreliable. With these platforms, we can plan accurately, monitor compliance, evaluate impact and make informed decisions that truly reflect the realities of our institutions.”

Participants at the workshop, including registrars, ICT directors and data management officers from TVET institutions across the South-West, were charged to serve as policy enablers by ensuring accurate data capture and compliance at institutional levels.

• College seals training deal

• By Sanusi Opeyemi,

The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Ibraheem Abdul, has reiterated the college’s  commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, stressing that skills acquisition, not paper qualifications alone, now defines success in the modern workplace.

Abdul stated this during a high-level engagement and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between YABATECH and John Basil Mandilas Foundation at a forum that brought together academic leaders and industry experts.

He described the partnership as a milestone that aligns perfectly with YABATECH’s core mandate of empowering students with practical, market-relevant skills before graduation. According to him, the collaboration will kick-start a structured HVAC-R  (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) training programme through the Mandilas Modulus Academy, combining classroom instruction with hands-on industrial exposure.

“As an institution, our vision is clear: by the time our students graduate, they must be fully trained, competent and confident to function in the world of work. This initiative aligns seamlessly with that vision because today, it is no longer about certificates alone, but about what you can do with your hands and your mind,” he said.

He explained that the selected students for the pilot phase would undergo one month of intensive classroom training followed by two months of industry-based practical experience, a structure he described as a model for bridging the gap between theory and practice.

The rector further disclosed that YABATECH would add value to the partnership by providing certified quality assurance assessors who would help align the Modulus Academy curriculum with the National Skills and National Professional Skills Qualifications frameworks, ensuring global relevance and local compliance.

“We are intentional about partnerships. Through our Centre for Linkages, Partnerships and International Relations and the Career Development Centre, we aggressively seek collaborations that will benefit our students and also support our partners. This relationship with Mandilas Group is designed to be symbiotic,” he added.

Abdul also highlighted YABATECH’s long-standing legacy, noting that the college, now in its 79th year, shares a similar heritage with Mandilas Group, which is marking about 75 years of engineering excellence. He described the partnership as a “timely union” focused on securing the future of the next generation, whom he fondly referred to as the institution’s “diamonds.”

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“Our goal is to polish these diamonds to the highest standards so that they become a reference point of excellence in the industry and society,” he said.

Emphasising attitude and work ethics, the rector noted that beyond technical competence, students must imbibe positive values early through exposure to real work environments. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would instil professionalism, discipline and a strong work culture in participating students.

He reaffirmed the college’s readiness to expand the partnership into other technical areas, including mechanical and electrical engineering, while aligning training with global skills frameworks and competence-based certifications.

“We are committed to making this relationship a success,” he said. “Together, we can build graduates who are not only educated but fit for the world of work, capable of driving industrial growth and national development.”

The Executive Vice Chairman of Mandilas Trust Company Limited, Ola Ayo-Adeloye, described the partnership as a practical response to Nigeria’s urgent need for skills-driven education and sustainable industrial growth.

“This collaboration is founded on a shared belief that education, when aligned with practical application, becomes one of the most powerful drivers of national development,” she said.

She noted that the Mandilas Academy was structured to complement YABATECH’s strong academic foundation by providing students with hands-on training, industry-aligned certifications and exposure to modern HVAC-R technologies, ensuring graduates are not only academically sound but confident, competent and workplace-ready.

She thanked the  rector, governing council and staff of the school for embracing the partnership, noting that the collaboration represents a model capable of delivering lasting value to students, industry and the nation at large.

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to work out the modalities for the upgrade of Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH) to  University of Technology and Vocational Studies.

Speaking at the institution’s 37th convocation, President Bola Tinubu, who was  represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad,noted that the upgrade of the institution was aimed at integrating hands-on technical training with advanced research,  fostering innovation, economic growth and national development.

A total of 8,654 students received National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates for the 2023/2024 academic session.

They include 291 Distinctions, 2,434 Upper Credits, 4,403 Lower Credits and 1,526 Pass grades.

The President had approved the conversion of YABATECH to a university in February.

He said:  “As you are aware, the Federal Government has approved the upgrading of YABATECH to Yaba Technical and Vocational University.

The committee constituted to work on the modalities to bring about seamless transition has already submitted its report. The recommendations are being considered.”

Tinubu noted that the government had  prioritised Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences alongside technical and vocational education, stressing their importance to  youth development and the nation’s growth.

He said  Federal Ministry of Education has continued to align learning with employability through the expansion of vocational training and digital skills programmes.

Tinubu urged the graduates to be at the forefront  of nation-building.

 “Through the Vocational Enterprise Institutes, over 960,000 trainees have been enrolled nationwide across more than 25 specialised trades, ensuring that young Nigerians acquire practical, market-ready skills.

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“In addition, the Ministry of Education is driving large-scale digital capacity-building programmes to equip graduates for success in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy. These initiatives include intensive digital literacy bootcamps in coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital marketing; e-learning platforms that provide access to certified online courses; structured internships and industrial attachments with leading technology companies; and the establishment of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs to nurture start-ups and small businesses,” he said.

Tinubu added: “Nation building is not the responsibility of government alone; it is a sacred duty we all share.”

The Rector,  Dr Ibraheem Abdul, disclosed that the institution is  on the path to becoming Nigeria’s first specialised University of Technology and Vocational Studies.

He praised President Tinubu for granting the  approval, adding that the elevation positions the institution to power the nation’s next phase of innovation-driven development.

Abdul hoped  that the transition to a specialised university would unlock new opportunities for research, skills development and national economic growth.

He noted that beginning this year, the convocation ceremony would be held yearly, saying that graduates would now receive their certificates on convocation day as part of new measures to improve administrative efficiency.

Abdul urged the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, adding that YABATECH had equipped them with both academic  and compulsory vocational skills.

By Temitope Adejuwon

Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH)  is set to sign a pact with Globacom Digital Solutions on smart technology education in a move aimed at strengthening digital education learning management system.

The path to the partnership was laid at a management meeting held between the globacom top management executives, led by the Manager, Public Sector Unit, Mr. Adeniyi Odejobi and principal officers of the college at its Council Chamber to explore a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the institution’s digital infrastructure and improving access to affordable internet for students and staff, through globacom’s vision for a digitally inclusive educational system.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Adeniyi Odejobi emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education across the country.

 “We are here on the directive of our chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga who has always demonstrated a deep passion for educational development in Nigeria, especially, on the deployment of high-speed fiber-optic internet across the campus, managed wi-fi solutions in key areas, and zero-rated data access for Yabatech’s Learning Management System (LMS) to enable students to use e-learning platforms without incurring data charges and solution partnership on smart campus technologies such as digital attendance, online testing, and remote learning support, as well as a revenue-sharing model,” he said.

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Globacom’s partnership with the institution, he said, will enable it have access to fixed internet service, which will provide unrestricted, high-speed internet access across campus for students and lecturers.

He added that it will expose the institution to its Learning Management System (LMS) integration service, which would involve the migration and enhancement of the college existing LMS infrastructure, enabling free student access when using Globacom SIM cards and would support online learning, remote class attendance, and digital engagement key components of modern education.

The partnership will enable the mass distribution of Glo SIM cards to the  students for them to access educational platforms easily and securely. 

Rector, YABATECH Dr Ibraheem Abdul, expressed strong enthusiasm about the potential collaboration, citing the need for sustainable partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to both students and staff.

“We are eager and very ready for this, as partnership, to us, goes beyond formality, it must deliver real advantages, especially for our students, who are the core of our mission,” he said.

The rector stressed the burden of data costs on students and parents, despite tuition and living expenses already being a challenge and emphasized the urgent need for affordable and reliable internet access solution to  both Yaba and Epe campuses.

He noted that while the college has an LMS in place, there is room for growth and integration of more advanced systems.

“We believe in functional education as a college of technology, and that distinction is key to any partnership that advances that mission,” he added.

The rector acknowledged that this development signals YABATECH’s continued commitment to innovation and student-centered growth, reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s leading technology-focused institutions.

Students at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have found various means of survival with what they termed “side hustle” amid economic hardship. From fashion work to selling of phone accessories, to attending to customers in bars, they are trying to stay afloat with their increasing needs and wants, FARUQ DUROSINMI (YABATECH) reports

In response to the prevailing economic hardship,  students at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) are increasingly turning to part-time “hustles”  to sustain themselves while pursuing their academic goals.

From tailoring and baking to digital services and phone accessory sales, students across departments say juggling side businesses with school work has become a necessary part of survival.

Chinaza Okoye, a final-year Business Administration student, works as a fashion designer.

“Sometimes I sew all night if I have a deadline. After that, I quickly clean up and attend lectures. It’s tough, but there’s no alternative,” she said.

Similarly, Oluwadamilola Adeniran, an HND II Mass Communication student, offers social media management services to small businesses.

“I taught myself how to use Canva and manage Instagram pages. I  charge N5,000 per client monthly. That’s how I pay for data and assignments,” she said.

Idris Bello, a Mechanical Engineering ND II student, sells phone chargers and accessories outside his hostel.

His words: “At first it was awkward selling to classmates, but the money keeps me going. I even send part of it home to help my family.”

Mariam Sule, a Computer Science student, sells homemade cupcakes on campus.

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“I cry sometimes when business clashes with schoolwork. But I have to keep pushing. My mum is a widow, and I can’t afford to relax,” she said.

While these students are finding ways to cope, the workload is affecting their mental and physical well-being. Many report poor sleep schedules, fatigue, and struggles with academic performance.

“One of my friends fainted during exams. He was working at a bar till 2 a.m. and still attended 8 a.m. lectures daily. His body just gave up,” a student said.

Staff members are also expressing concern about the increasing pressure students face.

“We see students coming late to class, mentally drained, or unable to concentrate.They are hardworking, but the burden is too much,” said  Mrs. Ronke Adesina, a senior lecturer at the School of Communication.

She urged the institution to create skill hubs, mentorship programmes, and platforms to support student entrepreneurs.

Despite the pressure, many students view their hustles as valuable life experiences that teach them discipline and practical skills.

“I may not sleep well,  but I’ll graduate with both a certificate and real-world experience,” a student said.

YABATECH students continue to show resilience, finding ways to survive and thrive in the face of economic difficulty. Their determination reflects a larger national trend: Nigerian youths adapting, innovating, and pushing forward—despite the odds.