Senate passes bills after upgrading Offa Poly to uni
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senators have passed bills to establish two federal universities, one in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the other in Rivers; a month after the Chamber passed a bill that upgraded Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara to a university.
Two bills for the establishment of FCT University of Science and Technology, Abaji and Federal University of Environmental Technology, Koroma/Saakperwa Tai Ogoni, Rivers State were passed after consideration of two separate reports.
Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND Committee Vice Chairman Sandy Onuh, who presented the reports on behalf of Committee Chairman Ahmad Kaita, explained that the bill for the Science and Technology University provides the legal framework to close the knowledge gap in science and technology.
She said the bill for the Environmental Technology University provides academic and professional programmes for diploma, first degree, and post-graduate studies with special emphasis on environmental technology and research.
Both bills were passed on 2 March after consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
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Offa Poly upgraded to tech uni
Senators had on 1 February passed a bill that upgraded Federal Polytechnic, Offa from a diploma to a degree awarding institution, and passed another bill that established the School of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk.
The Senate also passed the Federal Universities of Technology Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill
Kaita, who presented reports on the school bills to Senate plenary, explained that the bill for the school of mines and geological studies provides for the training of middle and junior level manpower for the mineral and mining sector.
He said it would also facilitate collaboration with other national and international institutions involved in exploration and mining of precious stones and ore as well as encourage teacher training, research and general development of teacher education.
Legal backing for 7 tertiary institutions
The Senate had passed in 2019 seven bills that established and gave legal backing to federal universities and polytechnics in several states.
The schools are
- Federal University of Gashua
- Federal Polytechnic, Orogun
- Federal College of Education, Illo
- Federal University of Education, Kontagora
- Federal Polytechnic, Daura
- Modibo Adama University of Technology
- Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Funtua
