The legislation was introduced on 2 July.
A proposal to create the Federal University of Science Deba,Gombe Statehas advanced to the second reading in the Senate.
This came after the sponsor, Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe Central), presented the main discussion on the bill's fundamental principles during a plenary session on Tuesday in Abuja.
Taking the lead in the discussion, Mr. Goje, a former state governor, mentioned that the bill was introduced for the first time on Wednesday, July 2.
He stated: "You will all concur with me on the significance of education in the socio-economic advancement of any nation, which cannot be overstated."
And for any nation to keep up with global educational trends, proper planning must be implemented.
It is in this context that this bill has been crafted to create the Federal University of Science Deba, located in Gombe State, North-eastern Nigeria.
He mentioned that the planned university would offer the necessary knowledge and skills required to fuel contemporary scientific advancements in Nigeria.
The goals of the university, as mentioned in the bill, include showcasing scientific knowledge, abilities, mindset, and experience, particularly within their professional fields, with a global perspective employing critical thinking and problem-solving methods.
Mr. Goje added that there was a solid reason why Nigeria required additional universities, particularly those focused on specific areas, for its essential progress within the global community.
In other words, for the country to rival other advanced nations in economic, scientific, and technological fields, it requires more higher education institutions, particularly those that this legislation aims to create.
"Having a university of this kind in this region of Nigeria, the North-east, equipped with a department specializing in Petroleum/Petrochemical Sciences and Engineering, is encouraging for the future of the Petroleum Industry in terms of personnel, research, and development," he stated.
In his comments, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, praised the bill's proposer for his dedication to the educational progress of Gombe State and the North-east region as a whole.
He subsequently sent the bill to the Senate Committee on Higher Education Institutions and TetFund for additional legislative procedures and to provide a report within four weeks.
If the legislation for the proposed institution is approved by both houses of the National Assembly and signed by the President, it will complement the existing one established by the federal government.
There is a single federal university located in Gombe State, known as the Federal University of Kashere.
More institutions, poor funding
Numerous proposals are under consideration by the Senate and the House of Representatives aimed at creating higher education institutions, such as universities, polytechnics, and teacher training colleges.
Some have already been approved, while others remain at different stages of the legislative process in both houses.
During his two-year term,President Bola Tinubu has set upapproximately 12 higher education institutions, comprising eight universities, two polytechnics, and two teacher training colleges.
The organizations consist of the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology located in Tsafe, Zamfara State; the Federal University of Sports in Afuze, Edo State; the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale, Delta State; the Federal University of Agriculture in Mubi, Adamawa State; the Federal University in Southern Kaduna, and the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) situated in Tai, Rivers State.
Other institutions include the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State; the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; the Federal Polytechnic Rano in Kano State; Bola Tinubu Polytechnic in Gwarimpa, FCT; the Federal College of Education in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State; and the Federal College of Education in Ididep, Ibiono, Akwa Ibom State.
However, the legislation that created some of them was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some critics fear that additional institutions are being created while current ones are struggling due to insufficient financial support. Some of these cannot afford to pay their electricity bills.
PREMIUM TIMES stated that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Tuesday, instructed its members in branches where June salaries are still not paid to refrain from attending work, warning that anationwide strikemay start if the government keeps postponing salary payments.
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Tagged: Nigeria, Governance, Education, West Africa