ATBU and Alumni Reject Bill to Convert University, Citing Lack of Consultation

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and its alumni have rejected Senator Shehu Buba Umar's bill to convert the university into a specialized institute of technology. The proposal, currently at the public hearing stage in the Senate, seeks to expand ATBU's curriculum beyond technology.

However, stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, Registrar Kabiru Garba Aminu, and National Alumni President Muhammad Sani Wada, criticize the lack of consultation with key parties such as staff, students, alumni, and the host community.

The bill is seen as undermining ATBU's original focus on technology and industrialization, particularly in Northern Nigeria.