Lagos, Nigeria: The Sultan of Sokoto’s Foundation for Peace and Development has entered into a strategic partnership with Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to advance education, healthcare delivery, and youth empowerment across Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Adekunle Adams, spokesman of YABATECH, on Wednesday in Lagos.
The agreement was announced during a courtesy visit by the Foundation’s delegation, led by its Director, Malam Muhammad, to YABATECH’s Council Chamber.
Muhammad said the Sultan Foundation, established in 2014 under Muhammadu Abubakar III, was designed to support communities affected by insecurity, poverty, and inequality.
He highlighted partnerships with UNICEF, UN Women, the Malala Foundation, and the Bill Gates Foundation, working on projects such as immunisation, women’s rights, and access to quality education.
“Our goal is to meet the needs of vulnerable communities through healthcare, education, and youth support. Partnering with YABATECH helps scale this impact,” Muhammad explained.
He added that the Foundation is leading campaigns against variant poliovirus in Northern and Southwestern Nigeria, while promoting immunisation and programmes for out-of-school children, especially disadvantaged girls.
Muhammad also unveiled plans for Nigeria’s first all-female university in Sokoto, modelled on the American system, with specialised programmes in healthcare sciences and related courses.
He said the institution would prioritise nursing, laboratory sciences, and health disciplines to provide professional opportunities for women and address the shortage of healthcare workers.
In his remarks, YABATECH Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, described the Sultan Foundation’s initiatives as laudable.
He noted that YABATECH shares a similar vision focused on service and holistic community development.
Abdul cited YABATECH’s UNICEF partnership, which trains girls in ICT, alongside medical outreach programmes conducted with Albasar International to reach underserved populations.
“Education without community impact is incomplete. By joining with the Sultan Foundation, we can redirect vulnerable youth into productive learning and empowerment,” Abdul stressed.
He expressed concern over rising drug abuse among boys, saying YABATECH is developing rehabilitation programmes to reintegrate affected youths through education and skills training.
Abdul revealed that YABATECH is also exploring the creation of a medical university to bridge Nigeria’s widening healthcare gap and improve professional service delivery.
“Our College has consistently promoted inclusion, especially for women and disadvantaged groups. This partnership marks another step toward nationwide developmental transformation,” Abdul said.
