Senate Approves FCT’s Science Technology Varsity

Seventeen months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of a federal university of science and technology in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the Senate, on Thursday, passed the bill seeking to establish the institution.

It would be recalled that FEC had given its nod for the establishment of the University on May 15, 2017.

Sponsored by Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, and processed by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, the Bill passed the third reading, after consideration of report presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau.

Presenting the report, Barau, who noted that the FCT has the financial enablement and required facilities of running such a university, added that the institution, when established, would not only help in providing admission opportunities for knowledge seekers at that level, but also provide employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians in and outside the FCT.

He also stated that establishment of the University, would go a long way in promoting science and technology education highly needed at this digital age for required scientific discoveries and technological advancement.

Addressing journalists on the passage of the bill, Aduda disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get similar passage in the House of Representatives so that the legislation could be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

According to him, 500 hectares of land had already been provided for the University in Abaji Area Council of the FCT, in addition to blocks of classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCTA.

“As the senator representing FCT and the sponsor of this bill, I’m very elated with its passage today in the Senate, and happy to inform you that required concurrence from the House of Representatives will be carried out soonest for the awaiting presidential assent being a project conceived and approved by the Federal Government in May last year.

“FCT needs a university of its own outside the University of Abuja established in 1988 to cater for more and more people seeking for university education within the territory and in Nigeria at large.

“The University, as it is today in Abaji, is at a stage of 90 percent readiness for take off, and that will surely happen before the next academic session,” Aduda said.