SHOULD ATBU REVERT FROM A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY TO A a CONVENTIONAL UNIVERSITY?

A recent move in the National Assembly would remove the word “Technology” from the name and status of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi — effectively converting it from a specialised university of technology into a conventional (comprehensive) university. The proposal has prompted public debate: supporters argue it will broaden access and programmes; opponents fear dilution of a hard-won technological mandate. Below I set out a balanced, evidence-based view of the advantages and disadvantages of that change, then give a recommendation tailored to the people of Bauchi and to Nigeria within the wider context of a technology-driven, AI-centred world.

(Recent coverage: the Senate moved the bill and it has been reported in national papers; ATBU management later issued clarifications distancing itself from some steps in the process). 

QUICK BACKGROUND 

ATBU was established as a Federal University of Technology in 1980 and has long carried a practical, applied mandate to emphasise engineering, science and technology disciplines. That historical mandate shaped its curriculum, facilities and industry linkages. 

ADVANTAGES OF CONVERTING ATBU TO A CONVENTIONAL UNIVERSITY 

1. Broader academic offering and access

Converting to a conventional university allows the formal introduction or expansion of non-technology faculties — arts, social sciences, law, education, humanities and broader health sciences — increasing choices for local students who may not be suited to or interested in engineering/technology. This can raise enrolment and meet local demand for diverse professional training.

2. Wider revenue streams and student intake

New programmes can attract more students (and therefore fees and government allocations tied to student numbers), potentially strengthening the university’s financial base if managed well.

3. Region-specific needs and human capital

Bauchi State and its surrounding region may benefit from locally trained teachers, managers, lawyers and public servants—professionals that conventional programmes produce.

4. Interdisciplinary opportunities

A broader campus can nurture interdisciplinary work (for example combining social policy, ethics and technology) that is valuable for responsible AI, regulation and community development.

5. Perceived prestige for some employers/fields

Some stakeholders still treat comprehensive universities as more “complete” for certain careers (education, public administration), which could help graduates seeking roles outside pure tech industries.

DISADVANTAGES AND RISKS OF CONVERTING ATBU

1. Loss of focused technological identity and specialisation

Universities of Technology concentrate resources, labs, technical staff and industry partnerships on STEM and applied research. Changing to a conventional status risks watering down that focus and losing the institutional brand built around technology and engineering. Studies on university models show that mission drift can weaken specialised outputs. 

2. Resource misalignment

Converting status does not instantly generate new funding. If extra faculties are added without commensurate investment in staff, buildings and labs, academic quality may decline across the board.

3. Potential negative effect on research and tech transfer

A core mandate focused on technology encourages industry linkages and technology transfer; diluting that mandate may reduce attention to applied research that feeds local industry and innovation. University–industry linkages are important for local technology adoption. 

4. Graduate market confusion and credentialing

Changing a university’s identity can cause short-term confusion among employers and graduates about programme focus, especially for graduates who obtained technical degrees under the old status. There are reputational risks if the transition is poorly communicated. (Reports from similar conversions note stakeholder confusion.) 

5. Missed strategic moment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Globally and in Nigeria, skill demand is shifting toward STEM, data science and AI-related competencies. Weakening an institution set up to deliver those skills could be strategically counterproductive unless the conversion deliberately retains and strengthens tech/AI components. Recent research stresses the importance of technology readiness in Nigerian tertiary institutions to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

WHICH IS BEST FOR BAUCHI AND NIGERIA — keep “University OF Technology” or CONVERT to “Conventional”?

Short answer: Neither label alone guarantees good outcomes. What matters more is institutional mission alignment with national and regional needs, and implementation (funding, staffing, partnerships). However, given current global trends toward technology and AI, the safer, higher-value option for Bauchi and Nigeria is to preserve and strengthen ATBU’s technology mandate while deliberately expanding interdisciplinary offerings — i.e., a technology-first model with selective conventional expansion, rather than a full conversion that abandons the original focus.

WHY THIS MIDDLE PATH MAKES SENSE:

Nigeria needs more high-quality STEM and applied technology graduates to compete in AI, data science, digital services and manufacturing. An institution rooted in technology is a national asset.

At the same time, communities and local economies also need teachers, managers, health workers and social scientists. Offering these programmes without diluting the tech core meets local demand.

A deliberate hybrid model allows ATBU to become a regional centre for AI + society — training engineers and data scientists while also producing policy analysts, ethicists and educators who can apply technology responsibly.

PRACTICAL, ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATION 

(policy + institutional design)

If policymakers decide to proceed with any name/status change, implement these safeguards and reforms so the people of Bauchi and Nigeria benefit:

1. Declare and legislate a clear mission:

If the law is amended, include explicit language protecting ATBU’s technology mandate (e.g., a statutory requirement to maintain strong schools of engineering, computing, applied sciences and technology research centres). This prevents mission drift.

2. Adopt a hybrid structure rather than full conversion:

Allow new faculties (arts, social sciences, law, medical sciences) but ring-fence budgets and governance for engineering, computing and applied research labs. Establish an institutional “Technology & Innovation” pillar with protected funding.

3. Create an Interdisciplinary Centre for AI & Society:

Host applied AI research, ethics, policy and community outreach together. This positions ATBU as a leader in responsible AI for the region.

4. Secure funding and industry partnerships before new programmes:

New faculties must be opened only when funds, qualified faculty and facilities are secured. Forge partnerships with industry (tech firms, telecoms, local manufacturing) and international donors to co-fund labs and internships. University–industry linkage literature emphasises this as key to technology transfer. 

5. Protect existing technical staff and labs:

Incentivise retention of engineering and science faculty (research grants, graduate training), and upgrade laboratory infrastructure to international standards.

6. Phase-in changes with measurable KPIs:

Approve any conversion in stages (years), with performance targets on research outputs, graduate employment, industry contracts and accreditation thresholds.

7. Strengthen vocational and skills training:

Create applied programmes and short certificate courses (data science bootcamps, AI upskilling) for local youth and industry — these yield quick socioeconomic returns.

8. Transparent stakeholder consultation:

Consult staff, alumni, students, employers and Bauchi State government. ATBU alumni and management statements show the importance of clear communication during the process. 

WHAT ABOUT AI SPECIFICALLY?

AI requires cross-cutting skills: computing, statistics, ethics, domain knowledge (agriculture, health, education). A university that keeps a strong technology base while adding humanities, law and domain faculties will produce graduates who can build AI systems and regulate them responsibly.

If ATBU becomes conventional and drops emphasis on computing and engineering, Bauchi loses a strategic node for regional AI capacity. If it preserves/strengthens tech while adding AI-relevant programmes, it can become a centre for affordable, locally-relevant AI solutions (for agriculture, healthcare, security and local government).

CONCLUSION — a RECOMMENDED ROADMAP (short)

1. Don’t abandon the technology mission. Preserve the engineering, science and computing core. 

2. Allow selective expansion into non-tech faculties only with guaranteed funding, staff and governance safeguards.

3. Create a visible commitment to AI and industry collaboration (AI & Society centre, internships, research chairs). 

4. Communicate clearly with stakeholders and phase any legal change with performance milestones.

FINAL THOUGHT 

A name is symbolic, but what matters to Bauchi and Nigeria is the university’s function. In an era driven by technology and AI, the highest public value comes from institutions that combine deep technical excellence with interdisciplinary insight — not from a binary label. Converting ATBU to a conventional university without safeguards risks losing a valuable technology hub. Doing the opposite — preserving and investing in its technical strengths while adding responsible, well-resourced conventional programmes — creates the best of both worlds.

Ahmad M Salihu 

Work with the 

Bauchi State Ministry of Education.