Joseph Akeju, a former lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, has called on the Federal Government to commence full implementation of its approval for the transition of Yabatech to the Federal University of Technology, Yaba, describing the move as a long standing aspiration of the institution's stakeholders.

Akeju made the call on Friday during the public presentation of his book, Whistleblower as Victim, in Lagos, urging the Federal Ministry of Education to set a clear timeline for implementation and constitute an immediate transition committee to coordinate the process.

He said Yabatech had developed its infrastructure, academic programmes and human resources to a level that provided a strong foundation for university status, adding that the proposed institution would expand admission opportunities for students and generate additional employment.

The former lecturer also appealed to the management and governing council of Yabatech to support the Federal Government's implementation efforts and ensure a smooth transition. He stressed that staff placement must be properly handled and that workers should be assured of fair treatment throughout the process.

"The transition was important not only to the institution but also to prospective students and the wider community," Akeju said, urging the government to complete the process without further delay.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who chaired the event, described the book as a reminder of the importance of integrity, courage and accountability in public service. Oyedele said whistleblowing should be understood as a mechanism for protecting institutions and public resources rather than an act of disloyalty.

He noted that public officers frequently faced difficult choices between silence and speaking up when observing wrongdoing, and acknowledged that choosing truth could carry personal consequences.

A former Registrar of Ekiti State University, Dr Omolaja Awolusi, delivered the keynote lecture titled "Limitation of Leadership: The Imperative of Effective Followership," arguing that Nigeria's challenges stemmed more from a followership deficit than a leadership one.

"When stewardship is non existent, accountability will be compromised, confidence will be eroded, and eventually, economic value will be lost. Nigeria's problem is more of a followership challenge than a leadership deficit," Awolusi stated.