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By Lukman Olabiyi
Alumni of Yaba College of Technology have pledged their full support towards repositioning the institution as a top-tier university in Nigeria, following its planned conversion into a University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
The National President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Yemi Osibajo, made this commitment during the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Emmanuel Unachukwu Hall on the college campus in Yaba, Lagos.
Speaking on the AGM theme, “Alumni Unity and Synergy for Exponential Development,” Osibajo described it as a timely call to action.
He emphasised that a united alumni body holds the power to transform institutions, influence national policy, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“We are thrilled to announce that Yaba College of Technology is on the verge of a historic transformation, its conversion into a University of Technology and Vocational Studies. This monumental shift demands more than just celebration; it requires strategic collaboration,” Osibajo said.
He called on alumni, stakeholders, corporate partners, and the wider Nigerian society to support the transition, stressing that the future of technical and vocational education in Nigeria heavily depends on the foundation laid during this process.
Osibajo also revealed that the alumni association has begun strategic planning to align itself with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) alumni association, using it as a benchmark for best practices.
“Our goal is to ensure that, upon conversion, YABATECH stands as the best University of Technology and Vocational Studies in Nigeria. Benchmarking with MIT is both aspirational and symbolic, given the similar roles both institutions play in their respective countries. MIT’s alumni network is one of the strongest in the world, and that’s the standard we aim to match,” he added.
Delivering a goodwill message, Chairman of the College Governing Council, Prof. Funso Isolaowa Afolabi, described the AGM as a pivotal moment in the institution’s history.
He commended the alumni for their continued contributions and acknowledged the recent progress toward the institution’s elevation.
“This is a defining chapter in our legacy,” Afolabi said. “The bill for the conversion of YABATECH to a Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, currently before the National Assembly, is a recognition of our long-standing excellence. This conversion is not a favour from the government; it is a rightful acknowledgement of decades of academic distinction and innovation.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association, Wing Commander Solomon Olawale Ajayi (rtd), described the occasion as historic.
“This is more than a change of name—it is a rebirth of purpose. Achieving the status of a globally respected university will demand commitment, loyalty, and active involvement from every stakeholder, especially the alumni,” Ajayi stated.
The AGM concluded with a renewed resolve among alumni members to work collaboratively with the government and other partners in actualising the institution’s new vision, positioning YABATECH as a national leader in technology and vocational education.
