Cross-section of members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), led by its Chairman, Senator Muntari Dandutshe (2nd right), and the management team of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), led by the Rector, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul (left), during the Committee’s visit to the College.
By Peace Udugba
The Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has expressed concern over possible funding shortfalls that could slow the implementation of critical infrastructure projects in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The committee raised the concern during an oversight visit to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, where it inspected projects funded through TETFund interventions and interacted with the institution’s management, staff and students.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutshe, said the visit was part of the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to monitor the implementation of government-funded projects and promote transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds.
The inspection also provided the committee with an opportunity to assess the impact of TETFund interventions at YABATECH, examine the utilisation of funds allocated for various projects and identify challenges requiring further government intervention.
Cross-section of members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, led by its Chairman, Senator Muntari Dandutshe (middle), and the management team of Yaba College of Technology, led by the Rector, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul (5th right), during the Committee’s visit to the College.
YABATECH: Rector Highlights Infrastructure Challenges
Receiving the delegation, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, described the visit as a demonstration of the National Assembly’s commitment to the development of tertiary education and the advancement of the country.
Abdul reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to accountability and judicious utilisation of TETFund resources, noting that the inspection provided an opportunity to showcase the progress recorded through various intervention projects.
The Rector, however, drew attention to the institution’s peculiar infrastructural challenges, noting that YABATECH is one of the most densely populated tertiary institutions in the country.
According to him, the college has approximately 35,400 students and more than 2,000 staff members operating within a relatively small land area.
He said the limited land space had made conventional horizontal expansion difficult, forcing the institution to adopt a vertical development strategy involving multi-storey buildings.
Abdul said the situation had become more urgent as YABATECH approaches its 80th anniversary next year, with some of its facilities now obsolete after decades of use.
He explained that several facilities were constructed during the colonial era and required replacement or major redevelopment.
The Rector said the institution had consequently commenced a strategic redevelopment programme involving the demolition of some old structures and construction of modern multi-storey facilities.
He added that YABATECH had adopted a policy of combining TETFund interventions from different years to execute projects of substantial value and quality capable of addressing its unique infrastructural needs.
Abdul cited the conversion of spaces previously occupied by facilities such as the Rector’s Lodge for academic purposes as part of efforts to maximise the institution’s limited land.
YABATECH Faces Rising Admission Demand
The Rector also disclosed that the institution was experiencing intense demand for admission because of its reputation for quality education and skills development.
He recalled that hundreds of prospective students had previously protested over their inability to secure admission into the college.
However, he explained that YABATECH had to operate within the admission quota approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Abdul further disclosed that the college was gradually developing another campus, with some infrastructural interventions being directed towards the new location.
He said the institution was also expanding its skills-development programmes to equip young Nigerians with practical competencies beyond conventional National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
The Rector highlighted YABATECH’s digital technology initiatives, stressing that skills development remained critical to tackling youth unemployment and preparing Nigerian students for the demands of the modern economy.
Senator Urges YABATECH to Expand Digital Learning
Speaking during the visit, members of the Senate committee commended the management of YABATECH for its efforts in managing a large student population despite limited physical space.
A member of the committee, Senator Shuaibu Afolabi, urged the institution to complement its vertical expansion strategy with greater investment in digital learning.
Afolabi advised the college to explore remote learning centres and technology-enabled teaching platforms that would allow students to participate in academic activities without always being physically present on campus.
He also encouraged YABATECH to establish stronger affiliations with reputable institutions around the world to promote knowledge exchange and expose students and staff to global best practices.
The senator further advised the college to seek additional interventions from federal agencies whose mandates cover technology, ICT, digital innovation and skills development.
Senate Committee Warns of Possible TETFund Funding Decline
Earlier, Dandutshe said the committee’s visit was aimed at monitoring the implementation of TETFund projects and ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
He said the committee was also engaging directly with tertiary institutions to understand the challenges affecting the delivery of quality education.
The chairman expressed concern over the possible impact of declining revenue available for TETFund interventions.
According to him, discussions with relevant stakeholders indicated that the amount available for distribution to TETFund in the current year could be significantly lower than the allocation received in the previous year.
He warned that a reduction in available funds could affect the pace of infrastructural development across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Dandutshe stressed that adequate funding remained essential to the development of Nigeria’s education sector and sustainable national development.
He said the committee was particularly interested in assessing what YABATECH had achieved through TETFund interventions covering the 2023, 2024 and 2025 cycles, while identifying challenges requiring legislative attention.
Dandutshe Charges YABATECH Students to Prepare for Leadership
Addressing students of YABATECH, Dandutshe urged them to see themselves as future leaders and use their education and intellectual abilities to contribute to Nigeria’s development.
He described the students as future governors, senators, ministers, professionals and other leaders, urging them to prepare themselves for positions of responsibility.
“You will be our future leaders. One of you will be a governor, one of you will be a senator, one of you will be the President, one of you will be a minister,” he told the students.
The senator challenged the students to develop critical-thinking and analytical skills and learn to anticipate the consequences of their decisions.
He also warned them against illicit activities that could damage their future, reputation and family name, urging them to embrace responsible citizenship.
Dandutshe encouraged the students to deploy their knowledge and skills towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
He maintained that Nigeria possessed the human and material resources required to become a globally competitive and export-oriented economy.
The chairman assured that the National Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of tertiary education and equipping Nigerian youths with skills for national development.
The committee subsequently inspected selected TETFund-funded projects and facilities across the college to assess their level of execution and utilisation of intervention funds.
