By DAYO ADESULU
LAGOS — The Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has appealed to its alumni across the globe to actively support the institution’s ongoing drive to transform into a University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funsho Isolaowa Afolabi, made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the YABATECH Alumni Association held at the Emmanuel Uwanchukwu Hall, Alumni Building, Lagos.
Represented by Dr. Maruf Adebakin, Afolabi described the proposed transition as a historic milestone in the institution’s development and stressed that the backing of alumni would be critical to its success.
According to him, YABATECH has already begun implementing strategic initiatives designed to position the institution for a smooth transition into a full-fledged University of Technology and Vocational Studies.
He urged graduates of the institution to deploy their expertise, influence and professional networks in support of the transformation agenda.
“The College stands at a critical point in its history, and the support of the Alumni Association has become more important than ever. We need an Alumni Association that will deploy its intellectual resources, professional expertise, national influence and global networks to support the institution,” he said.
Afolabi further encouraged alumni members occupying strategic positions in government, academia, industry and the private sector to facilitate partnerships, attract investments, influence favourable policies and sponsor development projects capable of accelerating the institution’s growth.
The Council Chairman also emphasized the need for unity among members of the alumni body, warning that internal divisions could hinder the progress of both the association and the institution.
He noted that YABATECH remains a trailblazer in Nigeria’s educational landscape, having produced generations of professionals whose contributions have shaped national development.
Afolabi reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to sustaining its legacy of excellence through quality teaching, technological innovation, industry-focused programmes and alignment with national development priorities.
He also commended the leadership of the Alumni Association for fostering greater cohesion and strengthening its role as a strategic partner in the institution’s advancement.
In his goodwill message, YABATECH Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, described the institution as a national asset that has consistently produced innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals contributing significantly to Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth.
The Rector noted that achieving the institution’s aspiration of becoming a world-class University of Technology and Vocational Studies would require stronger collaboration among management, staff, alumni and other stakeholders.
He described the AGM theme, “Food Security, Drug Safety and National Prosperity: The Strategic Role of Tertiary Institutions and Alumni Bodies,” as timely, adding that higher institutions must increasingly provide practical solutions to national challenges.
Abdul also reaffirmed management’s commitment to strengthening engagement with alumni through mentorship programmes, collaborative projects and industry-academia partnerships aimed at driving innovation and institutional development.
Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Wing Commander Solomon Olawale Ajayi (Rtd), said the institution was approaching a defining moment in its history and that the alumni body was repositioning itself to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
He highlighted ongoing reforms within the association, including strengthened governance structures, active committees and a revitalised College of Elders designed to improve professionalism, continuity and stakeholder engagement.
Also speaking, National President of the Association, Bldr. Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed that the AGM was conceived as a platform for strategic collaboration and collective action in advancing education, innovation and national development.
Osinbajo revealed that the association had launched a “Pick A Project” initiative aimed at mobilising support for infrastructure development, student welfare, entrepreneurship, research, innovation hubs, digital transformation and campus security.
He reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting YABATECH’s campaign for university status, maintaining that the institution possesses the academic strength, technological focus and industrial relevance required for such elevation.
The AGM attracted alumni members, education stakeholders, industry leaders and development partners who deliberated on issues surrounding food security, drug safety and the role of tertiary institutions in promoting sustainable national prosperity.
