AATU organises open house for prospective students, parents

The acting vice chancellor of AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University (AATU), Ganmo, Professor Abdulrauf Ambali, has unveiled the institution’s vision to redefine higher education in Nigeria with promise of affordability, quality, and character-based learning.

Speaking at the university’s One-Day Open House, which brought together parents, guardians, secondary school students, community leaders, and traditional rulers, Professor Ambali described the event as “a significant moment in the young university’s journey”

“We are not only opening our doors physically but also opening our hearts and our vision. AATU was not established merely to be another name among private universities in Nigeria. We were established to serve, to give back, and to provide access to quality higher education that is not driven by profit margins, but by purpose,” he said.

Founded as a private, not-for-profit institution, he said AATU is built on three pillars: academic excellence, character building, and global citizenship, explaining that these values would guide the university in producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also “problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders of integrity”.

Professor Ambali also said that the university’s vision is to create a world-class academic and research environment, while its mission emphasises teaching excellence, digital innovation, research promotion, and strong community engagement.

In what sets AATU apart from many private universities in Nigeria, Professor Ambali announced a tuition fee of just ₦250,000 per session, alongside compulsory entrepreneurship training for all students.

He said that AATU’s curriculum combines academic study with vocational training and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring graduates leave not only with degrees but with practical competencies to thrive in today’s economy.

Professor Ambali also reassured parents of the institution’s commitment to high standards, noting that lecturers are “carefully selected, highly qualified, and passionate about mentorship”.

Also speaking at the event, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, emphasised that the institution was established to equip young Nigerians to become global citizens.

“We expect our students and graduates to have the world at their fingertips. Our aim is to ensure that secondary school leavers are not roaming the streets, but are given affordable and quality education”, he said.

He also said that AATU graduates would not only become professionals in their fields but also acquire vocational skills to become employers of labour.

Highlighting the founder’s vision, Professor Na’Allah described AATU as a university highly committed to the development of its community, adding that vocational training is compulsory for all students.

Prof. Na’Allah, who is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) and former substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, disclosed that all AATU programmes are accredited, with various categories of scholarships available for indigent and brilliant students.   

In his briefing, the university’s Director of Academic and Institutional Research, Professor Moshood Zakariyah, revealed that AATU began with three faculties and 14 departments, all fully approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He noted that plans are underway to introduce Nursing and Medical Laboratory Sciences.

Prof. Zakariyah further explained that the university maintains 100% ICT compliance and will be offering scholarships in six categories: Merit-based, Host Community, Special Needs, Needs-based for indigent students, General Community-based, and Endowment-based.

 The Open House, held at the university’s auditorium, allowed visitors to tour facilities, interact with management, and gain firsthand knowledge of the institution’s academic and moral vision.

READ ALSO: