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The Senate in session
By NAOMI SHARANG
The Senate on Thursday passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State, to provide legal backing for the institution and strengthen access to medical education.
The upper chamber also passed the Federal Universities of Technology Act (amendment) Bill, 2026.
The passage followed the consideration of a report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund during Tuesday’s plenary.
Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC-Katsina South) presented the report.
Dandutse who sponsored the bill on Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Funtua said the committee recommended the passage of the bill after considering stakeholders’ submissions and examining its provisions.
He said the establishment of the institution would promote access to education and address the growing demand for knowledge and skills needed for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The senate also passed two other bills seeking to establish federal universities of technology in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and Babura, Jigawa State.
The bills seek to amend the Federal Universities of Technology Act to provide legal backing for the institutions and establish comprehensive provisions for their administration.
After the consideration of the committee’s report in the Committee of the Whole, the Senate adopted the recommendations and passed the bills at third reading.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the committee chairman and members for their work, as well as senators for their contributions to the legislative process.
He said the legislation would provide the necessary legal framework for the institutions, noting that some of them had already commenced operations but required enabling laws to strengthen their status.
Akpabio added that the institutions could expand opportunities for Nigerians to access higher education at home and attract students from other African countries and beyond.
The Senate President congratulated the committee and the Senate on the passage of the bills, describing the legislative action as necessary to address potential legal gaps affecting the institutions. (NAN)
