ATBU Distances Itself From Youths Who Disrupted Senate Hearing On Amendment Bill

ATBU Distances Itself From Youths Who Disrupted Senate Hearing On Amendment Bill

By Khalid Idris Doya 

The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has distanced itself from a group of youths who disrupted a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

The youths, who claimed to be alumni of the university, disrupted proceedings during the public hearing on a bill sponsored by the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Buba Umar. The bill seeks to amend the law establishing ATBU to change its status from a science and technology based institution to a conventional university.

The public hearing, which commenced on Thursday, at the Senate Conference Room 231, New Senate Building Assembly, Abuja was eventually adjourned following the disruption.

In a press release issued on Saturday in Bauchi by the director of information and public relations of the university, Zailani Bappa, the institution described those involved in the disruption as impostors.

"The hearing began on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at around 2:00 p.m. However, the process was adjourned due to a disruption by a group of youths who claimed to be members of the alumni of the university. Some media outlets across the country have reported the incident as such," the statement said. 

The university, however, strongly refuted the claim, stressing that those involved were not graduates of ATBU.

"In view of this disturbing development, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, wishes to distance itself from the actions of these impostors who are not graduates of the university," the statement added.

ATBU emphasised that it has a long-standing tradition of producing disciplined graduates who have served as good ambassadors of the institution across the globe for over four decades.

The university is confident that its graduates would never engage in actions capable of disrespecting the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"The ATBU prides itself with graduating disciplined students who have continuously been good ambassadors of the University across the globe for more than four decades. Hence, the University is ever confident that its graduates will never engage in any action that will disrespect the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," the university clarified.

While expressing regret over the disruption that led to the adjournment of the hearing, the university urged all stakeholders to exercise caution in dealing with individuals or groups claiming to be graduates of the University in any further engagements with or on behalf of the University.

The management further advised the public to verify the identity of anyone purporting to act in the name of the university in future engagements.