The Senate has approved a bill proposing the creation of a Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti Kingdom, Ekiti State.
The university’s goal, according to lawmakers, is to generate world-class technologists and human resources capable of managing the country’s economy in a sustainable manner.
The bill was adopted overwhelmingly in plenary on Thursday and has been referred to the Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Committee for further legislation and review.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele introduced the bill, which garnered unanimous support from senators from all political parties.
Visitodell reports that the bill was first introduced in the Ninth National Assembly and was reintroduced in the Senate Chambers on October 17, 2023, with a specific focus on bridging knowledge gaps in technology and environmental sciences.
During his presentation on Thursday, Bamidele focused on the significance of the law, underlining that its passage will stimulate the development of outstanding technologists and the human resources required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Furthermore, the congressman highlighted that the bill’s goal is to improve access to higher education, given the large number of talented individuals who face annual obstacles in gaining admission to colleges in the country.
The objectives of the university are, first and foremost, to set up an ultra-modern institution that will develop world-class technologists as well as human resources that can sustainably manage our nation’s economy by providing technical and management expertise at the highest level.
“The university, when established, will further advance knowledge through research and nurture unique technological innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth management in its core area of interest.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the enactment of this bill will help in transforming the technological and educational fortune in producing the desired manpower and expertise that Nigeria is yearning for to exponentially speed up our economic growth and ensure sustainable development,” the senate leader submitted.
Throwing his weight behind the bill, former president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said: “This bill was passed in the ninth National Assembly. I wholeheartedly support this bill. The bill is worthwhile because technology and environmental sciences are very important, indeed crucial, for every country worldwide, especially in the 21st century.
“If we want to develop like most countries are today, we have to move away from being extremely traditional. We cannot afford to continue with this basic thing. In most cases, outdated courses are taught in our schools or universities.
“This is the 21st century. And human beings, more appropriately, human resources, should be the source of developing our country. We have had petroleum from the 1950s to date. We are still grappling with poverty, unemployment and so on. Some countries have nothing but human beings. Yet they have made tremendous progress. A good example is Singapore.
“Aside, most countries are now embracing knowledge-based economies. I believe the time is right. When we establish a new institution, it should be an institution that will provide education and enlightenment for the 21st century development agenda.”
In addition, Umeh backed up Lawan’s position on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, stating that the institution, when it is established, will focus on technology and environmental sciences.
Umeh, elected on the platform of the Labour Party, said:
“In this country, Mr. President, the time has come when we shall be establishing specialized universities to pursue certain areas and fields of knowledge.
“By focusing on the advancement of technology and environmental sciences, we are confining this university to these two important areas. When we produce graduates from this university, we will be thinking of graduates with excellent knowledge.”
