By Haruna Salami
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, at a public hearing on bills to establish six Federal Universities has emphasised the need for greater investment in human capital development.
The public hearing was organised on Monday by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Sen. Muntari Dandutse.
The six bills are: “Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo (Establishment) Bill, 2024;
“Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State (Establishment) Bill, 2024;
“Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State (Establishment) Bill, 2024;
“Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025.
“Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and
“Federal University of Technology, Omoku, Rivers State (Amendment) Bill, 2025”.
Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin said Nigeria was at a pivotal point in its development journey and such more investments were needed in the sector.
“Our population continues to grow, and so must our investments in human capital,” he said.
He said that the universities of technology, health sciences, education, and vocational studies were instrumental in preparing a workforce that was capable of driving innovation and delivering essential services and transforming the nation’s economic fortunes.
“The inclusion of specialised institutions like the proposed University of Education (Special), Oyo and the University of Geomatics highlights our intention to cater to specific educational and developmental needs”.
Akpabio added that the task before the Senate was to ensure that these institutions, once established, are not only sustainable but also adequately funded and also effectively governed, and tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the 21st-century learner”.
