By Haruna Salami
Stakeholders in the education sector have made strong case for the establishment of more specialised universities for rapid technological development of the country.
This was made known at a one-day public hearing on Bills for an Act to establish the Federal University of Information Technology, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo state and Federal University of Education (Technical) Gombe organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND Wednesday.
In his keynote address before declaring the public hearing open, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio noted that education remains the “cornerstone of national development as it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address challenges, innovate solutions, and build a prosperous and sustainable future.
“The two Bills under consideration today highlight our unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where education serves as a tool for technological advancement, human capital development, and economic growth”.
He said Federal University of Information Technology, Ikare-Akoko (Establishment) Bill seeks to establish a specialized institution dedicated to the advancement of information technology.
“In an era where digital innovation drives the global economy, such a university will serve as a hub for research, training, and the nurturing of talents in ICT.
“By establishing this university, it is desired to bridge the digital divide, promote innovation, and position Nigeria as a global leader in technology.
On Federal University of Education (Technical), Gombe (Establishment) Bill focuses on technical education, a critical sector in the journey towards industrialization and skill development.
The proposed university in Gombe will serve as a center for technical and vocational excellence, empowering young Nigerians with practical skills to drive entrepreneurship and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving labour market.
He emphasized the significance of public hearing as a cornerstone of our legislative process, adding that it provides an opportunity for stakeholders-including academics, industry experts, and citizens to contribute their perspectives and insights.
This inclusive approach ensures that the laws we enact reflect the aspirations and needs of the people we serve.
Akpabio commended the efforts of the sponsors of these Bills for their vision and dedication and also thanked the Committee on Education (Tertiary and TETFund) for organizing the hearing and the stakeholders for their active participation.
In his remarks, Senator Dandutse Muntari Muhammed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund said the public hearing on the two bills was aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of tertiary education in Nigeria.
He said as a nation, we must continually evaluate and improve our educational framework to ensure it meets the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) in his remarks said the number of universities in the country are still grossly inadequate. He urged all stakeholders to give their maximum support for the passage of the bill to establish the two universities.
Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy said Nigeria needs more universities and North East in particular, where the Federal University of Education (Technical), Gombe is located, has the least number of universities in the country.
He said “if you look at the geopolitical zones, North East with 6 states has the least number of universities (21), while South East with 5 states has 36 universities.
Traditional rulers, academics and other stakeholders from Ondo and Ekiti states and members of the House of Representatives from the areas threw their weight behind the establishment of the two specialised universities.
