Ex-NBA Chair Endorses Senator Buba’s Push for ATBU’s Transition to a Conventional University  

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch, Barrister Jibrin Said Jibrin, has appealed to political leaders, traditional institutions, and academia in Bauchi State to unite in support of a bill to convert Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) into a conventional institution.

The legal practitioner, addressing journalists in Bauchi, expressed strong support for the bill sponsored by Senator Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South) to amend the ATBU establishment law for broader academic offerings.

Jibrin argued that transforming ATBU from a specialized university of technology into a conventional institution will correct long-standing educational inequities in the North-East and align Bauchi State with the national higher-education structure. He explained that despite being the most populous state in the North-East geopolitical zone, Bauchi remains the only state without a conventional Federal University.

The Legal Practitioner highlighted the widespread benefits of converting ATBU, noting that expanding the institution will attract a greater number of staff, generating employment, stimulate the local economy through housing, commerce, and services.and reduce student migration to distant states, saving families and governments significant costs.

Jibrin cited empirical evidence from institutions like the University of Maiduguri and Federal University, Lafia, showing that university diversification significantly boosts small-scale enterprises, healthcare services, and real estate development in host communities.

Bill Aims to Expand Academic Scope

The conversion bill, titled the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 910), passed its First Reading on the floor of the Senate on October 9, 2025, aiming to amend the original law establishing the institution.

The proposed change would allow the “great ATBU” to offer a wider range of courses across various disciplines, including natural and applied sciences, technology-based programs, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Senator Buba emphasized that the amendment is driven by the need to preserve the university’s existing programs—such as those in Management Sciences that extend beyond its technological focus—and strengthen its role in regional development, especially as the Federal Ministry of Education has urged specialized universities to strictly adhere to their founding mandates.

Education stakeholders view the bill as critical to addressing long-standing educational gaps and enhancing workforce development across the North-East.