A former lawmaker, Senator Haliru Jika, has expressed support for a proposed legislation to convert Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, from a university of technology to a conventional university, saying the move was important for human capital development, fair access to education, and economic growth in the region.
He stated his position at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, where stakeholders presented views on the proposed amendment to ATBU’s establishment Act.
Speaking at the session, Senator Jika said rapid global changes in technology and development have made rigid academic structures less effective, noting that innovation now thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Technology today is no longer isolated,” he said.
“It is inherently interdisciplinary. Our professionals must be equipped not only with technical expertise but also with knowledge of management, law, policy, environmental realities, and complex social dynamics.”
According to him, converting ATBU into a conventional university would allow for the establishment of new faculties, departments, and multidisciplinary research centres, strengthening the institution’s national relevance and global competitiveness.
He also noted that the move would help ease pressure on university admissions by opening access to high-demand programmes that are currently unavailable at the institution.
“Conventionalising ATBU will enable the university to maximise its existing infrastructure and train more students across foundational, technical, and allied disciplines,” Senator Jika noted.
On the economic front, he explained that expanded academic offerings would increase student enrolment and boost internally generated revenue, helping to reduce long-term funding pressure on the Federal Government.
Senator Jika further highlighted the potential benefits for Bauchi State and the wider North-East region, saying a conventional university would strengthen academic collaboration with nearby polytechnics and colleges of education.
“The North-East has historically lagged in infrastructural development,” he said. “This transition will stimulate infrastructure expansion, create jobs, and contribute to regional economic revitalisation.”
He added that Bauchi State’s natural resource base positions ATBU to develop specialised programmes capable of producing skilled manpower for key sectors of the national economy.
Describing the bill as a matter of fairness, the senator argued that access to diverse and competitive academic programmes should not be limited by geography.
“Bringing these opportunities closer to the people of Bauchi State and its catchment areas is a matter of equity and fairness,” he added.
His position aligns with earlier submissions by other stakeholders, including former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, who also supported the bill on grounds of programme expansion and regional inclusion.
However, the proposal has drawn opposition from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ATBU branch, which insisted that additional funding should instead be used to strengthen the university’s technological mandate.
In his closing remarks, Senator Jika urged lawmakers to consider the bill from a national development perspective, describing it as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s workforce.
“This historic decision is not only about Bauchi State,” he said. “It is about building a centre of comprehensive excellence capable of addressing Nigeria’s technological, social, economic, and policy challenges through multidisciplinary solutions.”
The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund assured stakeholders that all memoranda and submissions would be thoroughly reviewed as part of the legislative process.
Beyond legislative advocacy, Senator Jika is also promoting skills development and innovation through proposed initiatives, including the JENIUS Accelerator, Senator Jika E-nnovation Exchange for Impact Investment to Uplift Sustainable Societies—and a proposed $100,000 JENIUS Fund.
The JENIUS Accelerator is designed as a youth-focused innovation and enterprise platform aimed at equipping young people with practical skills, mentorship, and pathways to turn ideas into viable businesses.
The proposed JENIUS Fund is expected to provide early-stage seed capital for high-potential enterprises in Bauchi State and across the North-East.
Together, the initiatives were expected to complement the proposed conversion of ATBU by linking expanded academic offerings with skills development, innovation, and enterprise creation.
