Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially matriculated 4,364 students into various academic programs for the 2024/2025 session. The matriculation ceremony, held at the 1000-seater Lecture Theater on the Yelwa Campus, saw students taking the university’s oath, administered by Barr. Zakariya Jubrin from the university’s Legal Department.
Addressing the new students, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba emphasized discipline, adherence to university regulations, and academic dedication. He warned that students engaging in indecent dressing outside the university’s dress code would face consequences.
“One key aspect of our university culture is our dress code. I urge you all to observe this code, which is designed to promote modesty, respect, and professionalism. Your appearance reflects not only on yourself but also on our institution and its moral radar, and we expect you to take pride in representing ATBU,” he stated.
Garba stressed that lecturers and class managers have been empowered to send out any student violating the dress code, regardless of status. He also reiterated the university’s zero tolerance for cultism and other vices, warning that any student found involved in such activities would be expelled and handed over to law enforcement.
“Furthermore, I must emphasize the importance of avoiding destructive behaviors such as drug abuse and cultism. These vices have no place in our university, and we will not tolerate them. Not only do they pose a threat to your physical and mental health, but they also undermine the values of our institution and the trust that your parents and guardians have placed in us,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor urged students to focus on their studies, explore their passions, and develop their talents, advising them to surround themselves with positive influences and avoid bad company.
“Instead, I encourage you to dedicate yourselves to your studies, to explore your passions, and to develop your talents. Surround yourselves with positive influences, and avoid bad company that can lead you astray. Remember, the choices you make today will shape your future, and we want to see you succeed,” he advised.
Expressing his personal connection to the ceremony, Garba noted that it was the first matriculation under his leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to punctuality, dedication, and discipline across the university community. He outlined his vision for ATBU as a center of excellence, focused on scientific knowledge and national development.
“The purpose of our gathering here today is to officially perform the annual rites of initiating our new students into the university. It is therefore an event that formally marks the acceptance of the newly admitted students as bona fide members of our great institution, ATBU, Bauchi. May I, at this juncture, use this opportunity to congratulate the lucky ones to be selected among thousands of other Nigerians who applied for admission into this university through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). This is indeed a rare privilege for you, and you should not take it for granted,” he said.
Garba reminded students to abide by university rules and regulations, follow the proper communication channels for grievances, and seek guidance from level coordinators on academic matters.
“As you navigate the challenges and opportunities of university life, I urge you to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to your goals. Seek help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Our faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged students to take full advantage of hostel and learning facilities, urging them to maintain and respect these resources for future generations. He highlighted a concerning educational gap within the host community, where the highest qualification attained is the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), calling on the Bauchi State Government to provide scholarships for local students to improve educational standards.
“In an effort to strengthen our relationship with our host and neighboring communities, we discovered a worrying situation that the highest qualification in the whole community is NCE. This calls for a very serious concern. Therefore, while we are doing our best to impact positively in terms of educating them, I want to use this medium to call on the Bauchi State Government to intervene in the matter by way of awarding scholarships to communities concerned in order to uplift them educationally,” he stated.
The newly admitted students were distributed across faculties as follows: Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology – 207, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology – 854, Faculty of Environmental Technology – 773, Faculty of Management Sciences – 370, Faculty of Science – 835, Faculty of Technology Education – 345, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – 39, Faculty of Computing – 599, SPESSECE – 98, and the College of Medical Sciences – 244.
Garba concluded by urging the new students to embrace the values of excellence, integrity, and responsibility as they embark on their academic journey at ATBU.
