By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
Fresh concerns have emerged over the future of science and technology education in Northern Nigeria following the discovery of a controversial amendment in the bill seeking to restructure Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
In a statement signed by its National President, Mohammed Wada, the association warned that if the document indeed reflects what the National Assembly passed, its enactment would significantly dilute ATBU’s founding mandate as a specialised centre for engineering, applied sciences, and technological innovation.
The amendment reportedly deletes the word “technology” from the university’s establishment Act, a change that the ATBU Alumni Association described as a dangerous step toward converting the institution into a conventional university.
Established over four decades ago to serve as a technology backbone for Northern Nigeria, ATBU has been a major contributor to the region’s pool of engineers, technologists, researchers, and innovators.