Senate passes into third reading, a bill for FCT University of Science and Technology

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed into third reading the bill seeking for the establishment of a Specialised University of Science and Technology in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Its passage came 17 months after the federal government had earlier approved the establishment of the University at its weekly Executive Council meeting (FEC) on May 15, 2017.

Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda sponsored the bill while senate committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND chaired by Senator Jibrin Barau passed it into third reading.

The committee on its report said FCT has wherewithal and required facilities of running such a University saying, it would not only help in providing admission opportunities for knowledge seekers at that level but provides employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians in and outside FCT .

It further averred that the 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.

Briefing newsmen, Aduda disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get similar passage in the House of Representatives for required presidential assent.

He said 500 hectares of land had already been provided for the University in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, aside blocks of classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCTA.

In his words, “As the Senator representing FCT and the sponsor of this bill, I am 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% readiness for take off and that will surely happen before the next academic session.”