The Bauchi State Concerned Citizens has raised alarm over alleged plans by the management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to scrap some courses and shut down certain faculties and departments. The group, led by Comrade Abdullahi Yalwa-PhD and Barrister Jibrin S. Jibrin, made the allegation during a press conference held on Monday at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi. They accused the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim H. Garba, of pursuing policies that could reverse the developmental gains recorded by previous administrations of the university.

According to the group, the alleged plan poses a major setback not only for ATBU but also for Bauchi State, which already lacks a federal conventional university. They argued that reducing the institution’s academic scope at a time when stakeholders are calling for expansion into a conventional university system would be detrimental to the state’s educational and developmental aspirations. The group warned that such a move could jeopardize the collective efforts of leaders and citizens who have invested heavily in the institution’s growth over the years.

The Concerned Citizens further appealed to the Federal Government, particularly the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, to intervene in the matter. They stressed that their opposition to the Vice Chancellor’s alleged plans is based on verifiable facts and logical analysis, rather than sentiments about his non-indigene status. The group maintained that expanding ATBU’s academic offerings, similar to what was done with Modibbo Adama University in Yola and Joseph Tarka University in Makurdi, would be more beneficial to Bauchi and Nigeria as a whole.

Calling on the Bauchi State Government, traditional institutions, and senior citizens to unite against the purported plans, the group reaffirmed its commitment to defending the state’s educational interests. They commended the Chairman of the ATBU Governing Council, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jakada, for what they described as his maturity and wisdom in handling earlier concerns. The group urged the university leadership to rescind what they termed an “ill-motivated plan” and embrace policies that will sustain ATBU’s legacy and secure its future as a hub of academic excellence.