A legal practitioner in Bauchi, Barr. Jibrin Jibrin, supports the plan to change the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) from a technology-focused institution to a conventional university. This proposal, put forward by Senator Shehu Buba, involves removing “Technology” from the university’s name and expanding its academic offerings. The bill has already passed its second reading in the Senate. However, the university’s management, alumni, and staff unions have previously rejected the move, claiming they were not consulted and that the change goes against the university’s established identity. Speaking to journalists, Jibrin argued that Bauchi is the only state in the North-East without a conventional federal university, despite having the largest population in the region. He highlighted several benefits of the conversion. Converting ATBU would allow it to offer disciplines like Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Education, Arts, and Humanities, training professionals for all sectors. It would promote fairness in distributing educational chances and align Bauchi State with national educational standards. A conventional university would attract more staff (both academic and non-academic), boost employment, stimulate housing and local commerce, and encourage research partnerships. Students would no longer need to travel to distant states for courses not offered at ATBU, which would ease financial burdens on families and the government. Jibrin cited examples like the University of Maiduguri and the Federal University, Lafia, stating that diversified universities stimulate growth in local enterprises, healthcare, and real estate. The former NBA Bauchi Chairman also stressed that converting the university would not diminish its technological focus, noting that leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) universities in Northern Nigeria are a mix of specialized and conventional institutions. He urged all stakeholders to support the initiative.
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