The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared open a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, focusing on bills proposing the establishment of new specialized tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the event attracted key stakeholders, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, vice chancellors, civil society actors, and education experts.
In his keynote speech delivered by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Akpabio described the proposed institutions as “timely and strategic” to Nigeria’s education development and national growth.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to expand inclusive and specialized education that meets the country’s diverse needs.
Among the bills under consideration are proposals to establish institutions such as the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo; Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; and Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos.
Others include the Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo; and an amendment to the Federal University of Technology, Omoku, Rivers State Act. These institutions aim to address sector-specific skills gaps and create equitable access to higher education nationwide.
Akpabio highlighted that these efforts are not just about building physical infrastructure but about “empowering minds, igniting innovation, and promoting national unity.”
He stressed the urgency of human capital development and the role of specialized institutions in transforming Nigeria’s workforce.
The Senate President commended Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chair of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, for leading the process and organizing the session.
He also called on stakeholders to actively contribute ideas that will shape effective legislative outcomes.
Akpabio reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to ensuring that once these institutions are created, they will be well-funded, properly managed, and aligned with global best practices in higher education.
In his remarks, Senator Muntari Dandutse urged stakeholders to engage constructively in the debate for the benefit of society. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Vice Chairman of the Committee, in his vote of thanks, reiterated the critical role of education in Nigeria’s development.
The public hearing marks a significant step toward the expansion and revitalization of Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape, as the Senate intensifies efforts to reform the sector through responsive and inclusive policies.
COV/Bashir M
