Bill Sponsor: Sen. Umar, Shehu Buba (Bauchi South)
Bill Progress: First Readinng
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 910) has been introduced in the Nigerian Senate with the objective of transforming the institution from a specialized University of Technology into a conventional university. The bill aims to amend the original establishment law of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), which was founded primarily to focus on technological studies.
The amendment seeks to change the legal status of ATBU, allowing it to broaden its academic offerings significantly. By transitioning to a conventional university, ATBU will be positioned to deliver a wider range of courses that span various disciplines, including the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, alongside its existing emphasis on science, technology, and engineering.
One of the core motivations behind this legislative move is to increase access to education for residents in Bauchi State and the surrounding regions. With Bauchi being the only state in the North-East without a conventional federal university, the bill represents a crucial effort to provide more higher education opportunities locally. The amendment is aimed at addressing the educational aspirations of citizens who have long sought more diverse academic programs closer to home.
The proposed amendment comes in response to recent directives from the Federal Ministry of Education, which have requested that specialized universities adhere strictly to their original mandates. These directives would require ATBU to potentially eliminate certain faculties and programs, such as Management Sciences, that do not align with its technological focus. By pursuing this amendment, the bill serves to counter the federal government’s expectations and advocate for the preservation of the university’s existing programs.
As the Senate considers the implications of SB. 910, the bill highlights the ongoing conversation about the structure and offerings of higher education in Nigeria. There is a growing recognition of the need for flexibility within academic institutions to adapt to the diverse educational needs of the population. If the amendment is approved, it could not only enhance the university’s academic landscape but also contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by nurturing a more educated workforce.
