Nigerian govt plans to convert MAUTECH to conventional university | EduCeleb
Abednego Wakili
23rd October 2019
Plans are underway to make Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) in Yola a conventional university by the Nigerian government.
Already, a Bill to review the laws establishing the school has been before the Nigerian Senate.
This move, it is believed, would make the university run medical programmes like conventional universities.
EduCeleb.com recalls that MAUTECH was among the specialised universities of technology established in 1980 under the Shehu Shagari led administration to strengthen research and development in technology.
Back then, three other universities were established along with it. These are the Federal University of Technology Akure, the Federal University of Technology Owerri and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
But the Chairman, committee for the review of law establishing the University, Abdullahi Ribadu said that the intention had now changed so as to accommodate the growing concerns for university admission into other fields not currently offered in Yola.
Ribadu, a professor, noted that a bill was presented to the 7th Assembly by Senator representing Adamawa Central, Aisha Ahmed, “but did not see the light of the day.He spoke at a forum in Abuja where he presented a report to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and stakeholders on the matter.
“The establishment of the college of medical sciences which we have seen in the present law has not precluded the university from offering medical sciences so they could start medical sciences.
“The 7th Assembly raised the issue on the floor of the house but it did not see the light of the day.
“But it has now been resuscitated in the senate, following a meeting between the Executive Secretary of the commission, Senate President and other stakeholders.
“The committee was therefore set up as fallout of that meeting and the impact will be great on the education sector.
“This is because if the National Assembly approves the new law establishing the university, it will be in a position to offer other conventional programmes that are run in other universities.’’
Ribadu explained further that if the bill was passed, it would go a long way in increasing the number of doctors in the country.
This also, he said, would impact positively on Adamawa, as the Federal Medical Centre  (FMC) in Yola would be upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
“Right now, FMC Yola, serves neighbouring states and countries like Cameroun but if upgraded, it would enhance the health of the people of the northern region.
“Also, access to medical education and other branches and programmes within the university will be there for students in the region and the whole country,’’ he said.
On the financial implication, Ribadu said the cost would run to about N10.6 billion.
He added that it would also cost the FMC N6.4 billion to be upgraded to a teaching hospital and called on Adamawa Government to support the initiative.
Meanwhile, Senator Aisha Ahmed  commended the committee for making the report available and asked for its implementation in the next two years.
She assured the NUC and members of the committee of legislative backing to ensure that the recommendations of the committee was implemented.
On his part, NUC Executive Secretary,  Abubakar Rasheed, said the management of the commission would take the report to the Minister of Education and the President for implementation.
Rasheed, a professor, said the country must begin to reduce the number of Nigerians that go outside the country for medical courses.