As Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) graduated 8,654 students from the 2023/2024 academic session, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality, technology-driven education. He announced that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed over ₦50 billion to 624,535 students across 303 tertiary institutions as of October 2025.
Speaking at the college’s 37th convocation ceremony, President Tinubu—represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad—described the interest-free NELFUND scheme as a transformative tool for breaking financial barriers and promoting equity, particularly for students from low-income families.
The president also highlighted the introduction of the Students’ Venture Grant, which supports innovative undergraduate business ideas through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by industry and academic experts. He emphasized that these reforms are shaping “an education system that empowers young Nigerians with the skills, opportunities, and support they need to compete, innovate, and thrive in a dynamic global economy.”
Tinubu confirmed that the federal government has approved the upgrade of YABATECH to Yaba Technical and Vocational University, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda. The upgrade aims to strengthen technical and vocational education by integrating hands-on training with advanced research to boost innovation, economic growth, and national development. The transition committee has submitted its report, and its recommendations are currently under review.
The president stressed the importance of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical sciences (STEMM), and technical-vocational education as central to Nigeria’s development agenda and essential for preparing young people for the 21st-century workforce.
Addressing the graduates, Tinubu urged them to embrace innovation, integrity, and creativity as they enter a workforce shaped by ongoing economic reforms, renewed investor confidence, and improving foreign exchange stability.
> “You are among the first generation of graduates who will directly experience the gains of these reforms and take your place as builders of a new Nigeria,” he said.
He encouraged graduates to apply their skills in engineering, enterprise development, creative design, management, and innovation not only to secure employment but also to become job creators and problem solvers. He also appealed to industry leaders and private investors to collaborate with the government in supporting research, scholarships, endowments, and enterprise development.
The Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, highlighted a key reform, noting that for the first time, graduates collected their certificates on convocation day, symbolizing improved institutional efficiency.
> “You are leaving here not as job-seekers but as job-creators. As you leave this arena, go with the assurance that this institution will continue to illuminate the path of technical education in Africa and beyond,” he said.
A breakdown of the graduands showed that 291 graduated with distinction, 2,434 with upper credit, 4,403 with lower credit, and 1,526 with a pass at the National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, and Certificate levels.
President Tinubu congratulated the graduands, their parents, and the entire YABATECH community for their roles in the institution’s continued progress.
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