The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to provide a legal framework for the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, in Akwa Ibom State, five years after the institution was established.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South, was passed on Thursday after clause-by-clause consideration and a third reading.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, said the university had the potential to serve not only Nigerians but the global community, while commending the 10th Senate for prioritising education.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Dandutse, presented the committee’s report, noting that the establishment of technology-focused institutions would expand access to higher education.
The bill’s passage followed a public hearing at which stakeholders submitted memoranda in support of the proposed legislation.
Sampson’s media aide, Samuel Udoma, announced the development in a Facebook post, describing it as a significant step towards securing the university’s legal status.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Leo Daniel, welcomed the Senate’s action, describing it as “the best gift of the year” from the National Assembly.
FUTIA was among the federal tertiary institutions approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2021 but was established without an Act of Parliament. The proposed legislation is intended to provide legal backing for its administration and operations.
In a separate development, the National Universities Commission has approved 12 additional degree programmes at the university for the 2026/2027 academic session, bringing the number of approved programmes to 36.
The newly approved courses include biomedical engineering, computer engineering, mechatronics engineering, biotechnology, environmental health science, health information management and estate management.
According to a statement signed by the university registrar, Offiongita Nkang, the approval followed a successful resource verification exercise by the NUC.
The university, which began its pioneer academic session in 2023/2024, says the expansion will strengthen its teaching, research, innovation and manpower development.
Candidates seeking admission into the newly approved programmes have been advised to update their course or institution choices through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System, subject to the applicable admission requirements.
