The Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan Sen. OBA today, Tuesday, March 29, 2022 passed through second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
The Senators voted overwhelming in support of the Bill and it was thereafter referred to the Committee on Tertiary institutions and TETFUND to report back within four weeks.
Leading the debate on the bill, Senator Bassey Albert representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District stated that the establishment of the Federal University of Technology is expected to identify indigenous technological problems and needs of the Nigerian society and solve them within the context of national needs.
While acknowledging the effort of Akwa Ibom State Government to establish the state college of Science and Technology, which Bill for its establishment was recently passed by the state House of Assembly, Senator Albert said the bill for the federal university of Technology further underscores efforts by the Federal and state government to create avenues for the employability of young people through good education and skills importation.
Sen. OBA said the Bill seeks to fully establish, enhance and restructure the technological potentials of the state by providing professional programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, first degrees and postgraduate degrees in Engineering, applied technological sciences, technology business management and other fields of science and technology.
In line with Order 76 (3) of the Senate Standing Rules 2022 as amended, Senator Albert availed the Senate of the financial implication for the establishment of the university.
Meanwhile, the Bill has scaled through second reading, referred to Committee on Tertiary Institution and TETFUND.