The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, has reiterated the College’s unwavering commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, stressing that skills acquisition, not paper qualifications alone, now defines success in the modern workplace.
Dr. Abdul stated this during a high-level engagement and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Yaba College of Technology and John Basil Mandilas Foundation at a forum that brought together academic leaders and industry experts
Addressing participants, the Rector described the partnership as a milestone that aligns perfectly with YABATECH’s core mandate of empowering students with practical, market-relevant skills before graduation. According to him, the collaboration will kick-start a structured HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) training programme through the Mandilas Modulus Academy, combining classroom instruction with hands-on industrial exposure.
“As an institution, our vision is clear: by the time our students graduate, they must be fully trained, competent and confident to function in the world of work,” Dr. Abdul said.
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“This initiative aligns seamlessly with that vision because today, it is no longer about certificates alone, but about what you can do with your hands and your mind.”
He explained that the selected students for the pilot phase would undergo one month of intensive classroom training followed by two months of industry-based practical experience, a structure he described as a model for bridging the gap between theory and practice.
The Rector further disclosed that YABATECH would add value to the partnership by providing certified quality assurance assessors who would help align the Modulus Academy curriculum with the National Skills and National Professional Skills Qualifications frameworks, ensuring global relevance and local compliance.
“We are intentional about partnerships,” he said. “Through our Centre for Linkages, Partnerships and International Relations and the Career Development Centre, we aggressively seek collaborations that will benefit our students and also support our partners. This relationship with Mandilas Group is designed to be symbiotic.”
Dr. Abdul also highlighted YABATECH’s long-standing legacy, noting that the College, now in its 79th year, shares a similar heritage with Mandilas Group, which is marking about 75 years of engineering excellence. He described the partnership as a “timely union” focused on securing the future of the next generation, whom he fondly referred to as the institution’s “diamonds.”
“Our goal is to polish these diamonds to the highest standards so that they become a reference point of excellence in the industry and society,” he added.
Emphasising attitude and work ethics, the Rector noted that beyond technical competence, students must imbibe positive values early through exposure to real work environments. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would instil professionalism, discipline and a strong work culture in participating students.
Dr. Abdul reaffirmed the College’s readiness to expand the partnership into other technical areas, including mechanical and electrical engineering, while aligning training with global skills frameworks and competency-based certifications.
“We are committed to making this relationship a success,” he said. “Together, we can build graduates who are not only educated but fit for the world of work, capable of driving industrial growth and national development.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of Mandilas Trust Company Limited, Ola Ayo-Adeloye, described the partnership as a practical response to Nigeria’s urgent need for skills-driven education and sustainable industrial growth.
In her address, Ayo-Adeloye said the Memorandum of Understanding formally established the Mandilas Academy, a no-cost technical training initiative of the John Basil Mandilas Foundation, designed to deliberately close the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry practice.
According to her, Mandilas Trust Company Limited, the holding company of the Mandilas Group, brings to the partnership over seven decades of experience in engineering services and HVAC-R solutions across Nigeria, with people remaining its greatest strength.
“This collaboration is founded on a shared belief that education, when aligned with practical application, becomes one of the most powerful drivers of national development,” he said.
She noted that the Mandilas Academy was structured to complement YABATECH’s strong academic foundation by providing students with hands-on training, industry-aligned certifications and exposure to modern HVAC-R technologies, ensuring graduates are not only academically sound but confident, competent and workplace-ready.
Beyond technical competence, Ayo-Adeloye emphasised that the Academy would promote innovation in energy efficiency, sustainable cooling and environmentally responsible practices, areas she described as increasingly critical both globally and within Nigeria.
She explained that the collaboration offered multi-layered benefits: opening pathways to mentorship, practical experience and career opportunities for students; strengthening curriculum relevance and industry engagement for the institution; and delivering a skilled workforce capable of driving industrial growth, economic resilience and environmental sustainability for society at large.
Looking ahead, the Executive Vice Chairman revealed that Mandilas Group’s long-term vision is for the Mandilas Academy to evolve into a centre of excellence for HVAC-R training in West Africa, supporting research, innovation and global partnerships while producing graduates who set new benchmarks in technical competence and professionalism.
She added that the initiative was inspired by the enduring legacy of John Basil Mandilas, whose pioneering vision, integrity and commitment to progress laid the foundation for the Mandilas brand.
“Through this Academy, we honour his legacy by investing in knowledge, opportunity and future generations,” Ayo-Adeloye stated.
She concluded by expressing appreciation to the Rector, Governing Council, management and staff of Yaba College of Technology for embracing the partnership, noting that the collaboration represents a model capable of delivering lasting value to students, industry and the nation at large.
The event marked another significant step in YABATECH’s growing network of industry partnerships aimed at producing skilled, ethical and globally competitive graduates for Nigeria’s evolving economy.
BV.
