Legislation Process To Convert ATBU Into Conventional Institution Comes As Shock

As varsity Management rejects move by Senate

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

The Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi has vehemently rejected the legislation process by the National Assembly to convert the institution from a specialized University of Technology into a conventional university, saying that the development came as a shock

The Registrar, Alhaji Kabiru Garba Aminu, who was addressing Journalists over the situation in Bauchi, stated that there was no official communication to the University Management and the Community neither did the University receive any information to that effect from the Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission(NUC).

He said they just woke up one morning to hear in the media that a motion has been presented at the Senate Chambers to change the establishment laws of the University. “You may wish to know that, as of this moment that we are talking, there has not been any official communication to the University Management and the Community. The Vice-Chancellor, who is the chief administrative and academic officer of the University, was not consulted, neither was the Chairman of Council nor the Senate.”

“I, as the Registrar, who is the custodian of the laws and regulations of the University, have not been contacted by anyone for any input.”

“In the University system, we have organs of administration, the Senate of the University and the Governing Council. These two organs have not been consulted by anyone about the move to alter the establishment laws of the University.”

“The University has made its position known; it is not aware of the process and therefore has no argument other than that it does not support the development and will ensure that the opposition to it stands” Kabiru Garba said.

According to him, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, sponsoring the bill did not contact the University about it, pointing out that as an institution created by law, it ought to be contacted before anything can be done to the law.

Also speaking on the development, the National President of ATBU Alumni, Comrade Mohammed Sani Wada said 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.

He said that the university’s technological focus has never limited its academic growth, stressing that Instead of altering its law, the lawmakers should work towards strengthening the institution through better research funding, modern laboratories, and global partnerships.

“Instead of wasting energy and resources on changing the law, Senator Shehu Umar Buba should put energy into supporting the University to do better. He can establish an endowment, build more lecture theatres, buy vehicles, and other development programmes; his name will be written in gold” he said.