YABATECH Announces Five-Year Reform Plan for Staff Schools

Funmi Ogundare

Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, presented a comprehensive five‑year reform agenda for the college’s staff schools, emphasizing strategic planning, academic excellence, staff welfare and institutional sustainability.

Abdul disclosed the plan while opening the 2026 retreat programme of the YABATECH staff schools in Ogun State, describing the gathering as a pivotal move to reposition the primary and secondary schools for long‑term growth and competitiveness.

The retreat, themed “Yaba College of Technology Staff Schools: Prospects, Growth and Academic Excellence”, convened members of the board of governors, administrators and staff to craft a five‑year strategic plan that will guide the schools’ operations from 2026 to 2030.

Abdul emphasized that the staff schools remain an integral component of the YABATECH ecosystem, acting as the first point of contact for many young learners with the institution’s brand.

He noted that delivering high‑quality education in these schools is a top institutional priority.

“This retreat is not just about discussions; it is about making decisions that will define the trajectory of our staff schools over the next five years. We must think boldly, plan practically, and commit to implementation,” he said.

He outlined the key reform priorities as strengthening financial systems for sustainability, boosting student enrolment, increasing internally generated revenue, and improving leadership and administrative efficiency.

The rector also highlighted the need for discipline, accountability and strict adherence to institutional policies to build a culture of excellence, adding that effective governance and quality leadership will drive the desired transformation.

He urged greater stakeholder synergy to ensure that institutional policies translate into measurable outcomes, and said the retreat would equip participants with practical, achievable strategies for repositioning the schools within Nigeria’s competitive education sector.

During the retreat, participants attended sessions on school finance and sustainable growth, leadership and conflict management, and aligning institutional goals with operational realities.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr Abiodun Waidi Ashiru, described the retreat as a deliberate effort to institutionalise forward‑looking policies that recognise staff as key stakeholders in the education system.

He observed that evolving global education standards demand continuous capacity‑building, digital adaptation and supportive work environments for teachers and administrators.

“Strategic planning must reflect the realities of those who implement it. Our teachers and school leaders require not just direction, but support systems, clear policies, and opportunities for professional advancement,” he said.

The retreat also included policy‑driven discussions on leadership accountability, performance evaluation systems, staff retention, motivation and welfare.

Participants drafted frameworks covering staff training and retraining, performance‑based evaluation systems, and measurable Key Performance Indicators linked to institutional goals and staff development.

Stakeholders agreed that staff welfare should extend beyond remuneration to encompass continuous professional development, inclusive decision‑making, improved communication channels and conducive working conditions.

They expressed confidence that the resolutions adopted at the retreat will usher in a new era of innovation, resilience and academic excellence for the staff schools, while enhancing their competitiveness and alignment with global best practices in education.