The Senate has handed a bill in search of to offer a authorized framework for the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State, 5 years after it was established.
The bill, sponsored by Ekong Sampson, senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, was handed on Thursday after consideration of its provisions.
Samuel Udoma, Mr Sampson’s media aide, introduced the event in a Facebook post on Thursday, describing the laws as a big step in the direction of securing the university’s authorized standing.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Leo Daniel, welcomed the passage, describing it as “the best gift of the year” from the National Assembly to the establishment.
The improvement comes as FUTIA expands its tutorial choices, having just lately secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to start 12 extra diploma programmes from the 2026/2027 tutorial session.
Why FUTIA wants an Act of Parliament
FUTIA was among the many federal tertiary establishments authorized by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2021. However, the university was established with out an Act of Parliament.
Mr Sampson sponsored the bill to deal with the hole and supply the establishment with authorized backing for its administration and operations.
According to the university, the laws will strengthen its institutional basis and assist its mandate to advance technology-driven training, analysis, innovation and sustainable improvement.
The bill’s passage adopted legislative consideration on the National Assembly, together with a public listening to at which stakeholders submitted memoranda in assist of the proposed laws.
Akpabio highlights university’s world significance
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over Thursday’s plenary, emphasised the establishment’s potential contribution past Nigeria.
Mr Akpabio mentioned the university would serve “the global community, not just Nigerians,” whereas commending the tenth Senate for its dedication to education-focused laws.
Earlier, Muntari Dandutse, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, introduced the committee’s report on the bill.
Mr Dandutse mentioned the institution of FUTIA and different tertiary establishments would deepen Nigerians’ entry to technology-based greater training.
Following clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate learn the bill for the third time and handed it.
The chamber additionally handed payments establishing the Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State, and the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State.
NUC approves 12 extra diploma programmes
In a separate improvement, the NUC authorized 12 extra diploma programmes at FUTIA following a profitable useful resource verification go to to the university.
A press release posted on Facebook and signed by the university registrar, Offiongita Nkang, mentioned the approval was conveyed in an NUC letter dated 11 September 2026.
The newly authorized programmes embody biomedical engineering, pc engineering, supplies and metallurgical engineering, mechatronics engineering, chemistry, industrial chemistry, environmental administration technology, biotechnology, environmental well being science, well being data administration, neighborhood well being science and property administration.
The approval brings the quantity of NUC-approved programmes on the university to 36, in response to the establishment.
The university commenced its pioneer tutorial session in 2023/2024.
The vice-chancellor mentioned the growth mirrored the establishment’s dedication to widening entry to greater training and strengthening educating, analysis, manpower improvement and neighborhood service.
Mr Daniel, described by the university as Nigeria’s first professor of aeronautics and astronautics, pledged that FUTIA would proceed to introduce programmes aligned with current and future academic wants.
He thanked the administration staff, tutorial board, governing council and different stakeholders for supporting the establishment’s improvement.
The university suggested candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and want to research the newly authorized programs to alter their course decisions by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System.
Candidates who didn’t initially choose FUTIA as their first-choice establishment however scored not less than 160 can even apply by altering their first-choice establishment to the university.
Sampson’s training agenda
Mr Sampson has additionally sponsored a bill in search of to ascertain the Federal University of Medical Sciences in Eket, which stays earlier than the Senate.
He has advocated the total university standing of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, as half of efforts to strengthen tertiary training throughout the three federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom South.
FUTIA’s institution in 2021 generated controversy over its location, leading to exchanges between Ita Enang, then a presidential aide, and the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the disagreement in August 2021. Mr Enang is now Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
With the Senate’s passage of the bill, the legislative course of on the National Assembly has been concluded. The bill is predicted to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
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