ABUJA/Nigeria: The Senate has passed a landmark bill to upgrade the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, marking a major stride in expanding access to quality, technology-driven education in the South-South region of Nigeria.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the bill was among several passed by the Senate on Tuesday aimed at establishing new universities of technology across the country to bridge regional disparities and boost Nigeria’s scientific and technical capacity.
Also passed were bills for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Offa, Kwara State, sponsored by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa; Federal University of Technology, Omoku, Rivers State, sponsored by Senator Harry Ipaligbo Banigo; and Federal University of Technology, Odukpani, Cross River State, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
Other bills include the Federal University of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero; Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, and the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Training, Yaba, Lagos State, both sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; as well as the Federal University of Sciences, Deba, Gombe State, sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje.
The approval followed the presentation of a comprehensive report by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Murtari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South), who noted that all bills had earlier passed second reading and undergone detailed legislative scrutiny.
Senator Dandutse explained that the committee engaged in broad consultations and examined the national need to enhance the reach of tertiary education before recommending the bills for passage.
“The bills seek to broaden learning access, remove regional disparities, and create platforms for advanced training in science, technology, engineering, and vocational studies. These institutions will award degrees, diplomas, and professional qualifications critical to Nigeria’s development,” Dandutse said.
During a public hearing on May 28, 2025, Senator Nwoko made a compelling case for the Asaba bill, stressing that the South-South zone, despite its massive contributions to the national economy, is yet to benefit from a dedicated Federal University of Technology.
“The establishment of this university in Asaba is long overdue,” Nwoko said. “Our region plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and industrial sectors, yet lacks a technology institution that matches its capacity and aspirations. This upgrade will change that.”
He described the transformation of the existing college into a full-fledged university as a bold and strategic step to empower young Nigerians and drive 21st-century innovation.
“This is not just about Delta State or the South-South,” Nwoko noted. “It’s a national investment in human capital development, technological advancement, and long-term prosperity.”
The Senate’s decision has been widely praised as a forward-thinking move to realign Nigeria’s higher education architecture with its economic priorities and regional equity goals.
With this passage, the bills will proceed to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for assent.
Education stakeholders and regional leaders have welcomed the development, describing it as a transformative leap for underserved zones and a boost to Nigeria’s quest for technological self-reliance.
SOURCE@Vanguard
