For years, Yaba College of Technology has remained one of Nigeria’s prominent institutions for technical and vocational education, producing graduates with practical skills for the workforce.
But despite the Federal Government’s approval for the institution to transition into the Federal University of Technology, Yaba, the proposed university is yet to become a reality.
The situation has renewed calls for the government to move beyond approval and begin the full implementation of the transition.
A former lecturer at Yaba College of Technology and author, Joseph Akeju, made the call on Friday during the public presentation of his book, Whistleblower as Victim, in Lagos.
Akeju argued that the transition would fulfil a long-standing aspiration of stakeholders of the institution, noting that YABATECH had developed its infrastructure, academic programmes and human resources over the years.
According to him, these existing structures provide a strong foundation for the institution’s transformation into a university.
For Akeju, the priority should now be to establish a clear pathway for the implementation of the Federal Government’s approval.
He appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to set a definite timeline for the transition and begin the necessary processes to enable the proposed university to take off.
He also called for the immediate constitution of an implementation committee to coordinate the transition and ensure that the process is properly managed.
Another major issue raised by Akeju was the fate of the institution’s workforce during the transition.
He urged the authorities to address staff placement in the proposed university, stressing that workers should be properly informed and assured of fair treatment throughout the process.
He also appealed to the management and governing council of YABATECH to support the implementation process and work with the Federal Government to ensure a smooth transition.
Beyond creating a new university, Akeju said the transformation would build on the achievements of the college and provide more opportunities for technology-focused education.
He noted that the establishment of the university would also increase opportunities for students seeking admission and create more employment opportunities.
The proposed university, he argued, would therefore have implications beyond the institution itself, potentially creating wider opportunities for prospective students and the surrounding community.
But for the transition to happen, approval alone is not enough.
The concerns raised by Akeju highlight some of the practical steps that need to be addressed, including the creation of an implementation committee, setting a timeline, determining staff placement and ensuring coordination between the Federal Government, the institution’s management and governing council.
Akeju expressed hope that the Federal University of Technology, Yaba, would soon become a reality and fulfil the aspirations of those who have contributed to the development of the institution over the years.
While the proposed transition remains a major opportunity to expand technology-focused higher education, stakeholders are now looking towards the government for concrete action that will move the process from approval to implementation.
The discussion at the book presentation also extended beyond the YABATECH transition to the broader question of leadership and citizenship.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled ‘Limitation of Leadership: The Imperative of Effective Followership’, a former registrar of Ekiti State University, Dr Omolaja Awosusi, said effective leadership could not be achieved without responsible followership.
Awosusi argued that followers have a major role to play in determining whether leaders succeed or fail, stressing that leadership should be seen as a partnership in which citizens contribute competence, honesty, loyalty and accountability to the common good.
Using examples from history and African folktales, the former registrar said major empires and successful national movements were built not by their leaders alone but by people who supported and implemented their vision.
He said Nigeria similarly needed citizens who would hold leaders accountable while also performing their own responsibilities with integrity.
Awosusi identified corruption, dishonesty and self-interest among citizens as major challenges to effective followership.
“When stewardship is non-existent, accountability will be compromised, confidence will be eroded, and eventually, economic value will be lost. Nigeria’s problem is more of the Followership challenge than that of leadership deficit,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians to become competent, honest and responsible followers, saying the quality of leadership in the country would ultimately reflect the values and conduct of its citizens.
In his remarks, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who chaired the event, described Akeju’s book as a reminder of the importance of integrity, courage and accountability in public service.
Oyedele said whistleblowing should be viewed as a means of protecting institutions and public resources rather than an act of disloyalty.
He noted that public officers were often faced with difficult choices between remaining silent and speaking up when they observed wrongdoing, stressing that choosing to uphold the truth could come with personal consequences.
The minister said Whistleblower as Victim offered useful lessons for public servants, administrators, auditors and young professionals on the importance of placing professional ethics and public interest above personal convenience.
He congratulated Akeju for documenting his experience, saying the book would encourage readers to reflect on their responsibilities and the role of integrity in building stronger public institutions.
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