Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi has clarified that the discontinuation of its Faculty of Management Sciences, along with other departments, was not a decision made by the university itself but was mandated by the federal government.
The university explained that this action aligns with a federal directive requiring all universities to revert to their original academic mandates, a policy from which ATBU Bauchi is not exempt.
Mal. Zailani Bappa, ATBU’s Director of Information, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Bauchi yesterday. He noted that the decision followed a recent meeting between the Minister of Education and the governing councils of federal universities, where the directive to adhere strictly to each institution’s founding mission was emphasized.
Zailani stated, “With the new administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, convened a meeting last month with all federal university governing councils.”
“At that meeting, it was made clear that a government policy requires universities to focus solely on their core mandates. For instance, technological universities must concentrate on technology-related programs, agricultural universities on agricultural studies, and newly established institutions like the University of Transportation must maintain their specialized focus.”
Earlier this week, members of the Bauchi State Citizens Forum expressed dissatisfaction with ATBU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, accusing him of undermining the institution’s educational standards.
During a press conference on Monday, the forum, led by Comrade Abdullahi Yalwa, described the faculty closures as part of a series of detrimental actions linked to the Vice Chancellor’s agenda, which they believe warrants national attention and intervention.
“A recent meeting with the university’s ASUU chapter, where the Vice Chancellor communicated these unwelcome changes, confirmed our concerns. This move is regressive, especially considering the Vice Chancellor is not a native of Bauchi State,” Yalwa remarked.
“Our stance is grounded in solid evidence, sound reasoning, and balanced analysis of the arguments on both sides. The Vice Chancellor’s position is unfounded, lacks logical consistency, and is fundamentally flawed.”
Yalwa further argued that maintaining and even expanding the university’s academic scope-transforming it into a comprehensive institution similar to Modibbo Adama University in Yola or Joseph Tarka University in Makurdi-would better serve the region’s educational development.
Backing Yalwa’s position, Barrister Jibrin Sa’id Jibrin urged Bauchi State’s government, traditional leaders, elders, and all stakeholders to unite in opposing the Vice Chancellor’s plans, emphasizing the importance of collective action for the state’s benefit.
“The Governor and the state government have a significant role to play. Past administrations and senior citizens have invested heavily in the state’s progress, elevating it to its current status,” Yalwa noted.
He highlighted notable contributors such as Alhaji Mahmood Yayale Ahmed, Ajiyan Katagum, Barrister Ahmed Al-Mustapha, former Registrar General of the CAC, and Alhaji Muhammed Uba Kari, Wazirin Bauchi, urging that their legacy of support for education should continue forward, not regress.
“Even before this issue arose, many key stakeholders who cherish education and the advancement of Bauchi State have been actively engaged in this cause. With determination and divine support, we are confident of success. We earnestly call on the university leadership to reconsider and abandon this ill-conceived plan,” Yalwa concluded.
