Bauchi Deserves Conventional Federal University, Says Ex-NBA Chair

By Khalid Idris Doya 

Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

November 17, 2025(Series News Online)

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch, Jibrin S. Jibrin, Esq., has called for the conversion of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) into a conventional university, citing the need to address educational inequities and provide more opportunities for students in the region.

"Transforming ATBU into a conventional university will address this inequity, guarantee fair distribution of educational opportunities and align Bauchi State with the national educational framework," Jibrin said while addressing journalists on the ongoing debate surrounding the bill sponsored by Senator Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South) in the 10th Senate.

Jibrin noted that despite being the most populous state in the Northeast, Bauchi remains the only state in the zone without a conventional federal university, unlike Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Yobe, all of which host federal institutions with wide academic coverage.

"This disparity has denied many qualified students access to programmes such as Law, Education, Medicine, Social Sciences and the Arts courses not offered under ATBU's current specialised mandate," he said.

The former NBA chair argued that expanding ATBU's mandate to include disciplines such as Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Education, Arts, and Humanities will make it a major national training hub for future professionals.

"The multiplier effect of a conventional university is enormous. Evidence from the University of Maiduguri and Federal University Lafia shows that diversification boosts small businesses, healthcare services and real estate development in their host communities," Jibrin said.

He emphasised that the transformation would also honour the legacy of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, noting that the late Prime Minister was a teacher and reformer whose philosophy centred on national unity through education.

Jibrin called on Bauchi's political leaders, traditional rulers, academics, and other stakeholders to rally behind Senator Shehu Buba Umar and support the National Assembly’s effort to actualize the amendment.

"Passing the ATBU amendment bill into law, and securing presidential assent, would substantially transform the fortunes of Bauchi State for the better," he said.