By Adamu Yusuf
Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State, to provide a legal framework for the institution and strengthen access to medical education in the country.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund during plenary.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Muntari Dandutse, representing Katsina South Senatorial District, presented the report.
Senator Dandutse, who sponsored the bill, said the committee recommended its passage after considering submissions from relevant stakeholders and examining its provisions.
He explained that establishing the university would expand access to education and help meet the growing demand for medical and health professionals.
The Senate also passed two other bills seeking to establish federal universities of technology in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and Babura, Jigawa State.
The bills seek to amend the Federal Universities of Technology Act to provide legal backing for the institutions and establish comprehensive provisions for their administration.
Following the consideration of the committee’s report in the Committee of the Whole, the Senate adopted the recommendations and passed all three bills at third reading.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Senator Dandutse, members of the committee and other senators for their contributions to the legislative process, describing the passage of the bills as an important step towards strengthening the country’s higher education system.
Senator Akpabio noted that some of the institutions had already commenced operations but required enabling laws to establish their legal status and address potential legal gaps.
He said the legislation would provide the necessary framework for their effective administration and development.
The Senate President added that the institutions would expand opportunities for Nigerians to access higher education within the country and attract students from other African nations and beyond.
He congratulated the committee and the Senate on the passage of the bills.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
