The Senate has passed two bills seeking to establish new federal universities in Delta and Cross River states, in a move aimed at expanding access to tertiary education, strengthening agricultural development and improving teacher training in the country.
The bills, which scaled third reading on Thursday, provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Orerokpe, in Delta State, and the Federal University of Education, Obudu, in Cross River State.
Their passage followed clause-by-clause consideration and adoption of reports by the relevant Senate committees during plenary, after which the Committee of the Whole approved the proposed legislations.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Orerokpe Bill, listed as Senate Bill 436, seeks to amend the Federal University of Agriculture Act, Cap F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the institution.
Similarly, Senate Bill 150, seeking to establish the Federal University of Education, Obudu, is designed to promote teacher education and provide a comprehensive framework for the institution’s administration and management.
The bill also provides for the upgrade of the existing Federal College of Education in Obudu to a federal university.
Moving the motion for the third reading of the bills, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to approve their passage.
“Mr. President, distinguished senators, I hereby move that the third reading of the two bills be now taken,” he said.
The motion was seconded and approved through a voice vote.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the chairmen of the committees responsible for the bills and other lawmakers for their contributions towards their passage.
“Let me thank the Chairman of the Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions and the Chairman of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, and all our colleagues for their contributions towards the eventual passage of these two bills,” he said.
He expressed hope that the proposed universities would widen educational opportunities across the country once they receive presidential assent.
“I hope that when assented into Acts of Parliament by Mr. President, they will help to widen the doors for education for all Nigerians and for the universal community,” he added.
Akpabio, however, stressed the need for the management of the institutions to comply with the standards and regulations of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He said such compliance would ensure that certificates awarded by the universities would be recognised and respected internationally.
Although the passage of the bills marks a major legislative step towards establishing the two institutions, their formal creation remains subject to presidential assent.