Alumni decry ATBU act alteration, Say removal of ‘technology’ endangers STEM growth
By Ahmed Ahmed
Fresh concerns have trailed the amended bill seeking to restructure Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) following the discovery of a major change in the institution’s establishment Act.
In a statement signed by Mohammed S. Wada, National President of the ATBU Alumni Association and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Bauchi.
The group expressed deep worry over the removal of the word “technology” from the university’s name in the amended bill reportedly passed by the National Assembly.
The Alumni said the development suggests a move toward converting ATBU from a specialized technological institution into a conventional university an action they fear could fundamentally alter its mandate.
According to the statement, if the document accurately reflects what lawmakers approved, its passage and subsequent enactment could significantly weaken ATBU’s institutional strength, technical orientation, and long-standing focus on engineering and applied sciences.
Established as a premier centre for engineering, scientific research, and technological innovation, ATBU has for decades served as one of Northern Nigeria’s strongest STEM pillars.
The Alumni warn that stripping the institution of its technological identity poses long-term risks for the region’s development.
They argued that such a shift could erode critical competencies in applied engineering, technology-driven innovation, and scientific advancement areas essential for the North to remain competitive in today’s knowledge-driven global economy.
The Alumni further cautioned that the amendment is far from a routine legislative adjustment, but a fundamental reorientation of the university’s purpose.
If allowed to stand, they noted, the change could disrupt the region’s broader STEM ecosystem and undermine decades of progress in technical education and research.
The group urged stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to scrutinize the amendment and protect ATBU’s original mandate as a strategic technological institution.
