Yabatech committed to youth skills development, community partnerships — Rector

The Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to youth empowerment, skills acquisition, and strategic partnerships aimed at fostering sustainable national development.

Engr. Abdul made the pledge while receiving the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Kingdom, Ekiti State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye, JP, Oyinyosayeuyeyin III.

The traditional ruler paid an official visit to the College alongside members of his kingdom’s development and technical committees.

Welcoming the royal delegation, the Rector described the visit as a significant follow-up to the commitments made during the monarch’s three-in-one celebration in 2025, where YABATECH pledged support for developmental initiatives in Iyin-Ekiti Kingdom.

He said the institution remained focused on equipping young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and vocational skills, particularly young women in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, YABATECH is committed to training youths to become self-reliant and productive members of society through entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programmes.

Abdul said: “We are committed to the training of young girls in entrepreneurship and skills acquisition with a view to preparing them for the future and empowering them to become wealth creators.”

The Rector noted that the College was actively pursuing partnerships and collaborative initiatives with educational institutions and communities across the country to enhance innovation, capacity building and socio-economic development.

He particularly commended the Oluyin for his visionary leadership and efforts in facilitating the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti.

He recalled attending the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony, describing it as one of the most impressive he had witnessed.

He noted that the matriculation of over 1,400 students at the university’s first admission exercise reflected the confidence of the people in the monarch’s leadership and development agenda.

Abdul said: The quality of leadership being demonstrated in Iyin-Ekiti is commendable. 

“The level of support given to the university by the community speaks volumes about the trust and confidence reposed in His Royal Majesty.”

The Rector further stated that YABATECH, which is currently transitioning to a Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, remains well-positioned to contribute to national development through quality education, innovation, research and professional training.

He expressed the institution’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences and other stakeholders in areas such as tourism, hospitality, entrepreneurship and community development.

Dr. Abdul also praised the monarch’s uncommon leadership style, noting that rather than waiting for institutions and communities to seek royal audiences, the Oluyin had chosen to personally visit institutions and build partnerships capable of delivering tangible benefits to the people.

According to him, such an approach reflects a modern and development-oriented model of leadership.

He added: “This is a leadership style that promotes collaboration, mutual understanding and development. 

“We appreciate Your Royal Majesty’s commitment to building bridges and fostering meaningful partnerships.”

Responding, the Oluyin thanked the College for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage, describing the visit as a deliberate effort to strengthen cooperation between the kingdom and the institution.

Oba Ajakaiye said he was accompanied by members of his kingdom’s technical and development committees to ensure that discussions during the visit translate into practical projects and measurable outcomes.

The monarch disclosed that the Iyin-Ekiti Kingdom was currently developing a robust security architecture and expressed optimism that YABATECH’s expertise in technology and innovation could contribute to the development of indigenous solutions to contemporary security challenges.

He also stressed the importance of networking, knowledge sharing and institutional partnerships in promoting community development and national progress.

The royal father pledged the kingdom’s readiness to sustain its partnership with YABATECH in areas of education, innovation, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

The visit featured discussions on future collaborative projects, educational exchanges, tourism development and community-based innovation programmes.