Abuja: In a significant push to expand access to higher education, the House of Representatives has approved the establishment of four new federal universities across Nigeria.
The newly endorsed institutions will be located in Borno, Imo, Kaduna, and Kano states.
This followed the adoption of reports on four bills, laid for consideration by the Chairman, House Committee on University Education, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa).
The bills include a bill for an Act to repeal the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna Act and to establish Federal University of Technology, Kaduna.
A bill for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Army University, Biu, (Act 2020) and enact the Federal University, Biu, Borno.
Additionally, bills are proposed for an Act to establish Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and for an Act to establish Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.
Presenting the report earlier, Fulata said that the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna, when established, will provide training and teaching instruction in all aspects of education.
He explained that other fields of applied learning, relevant to the development of education in the country, such as matters of administration and student discipline, will be catered for.
He explained that the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, will provide for the promotion and development of teacher education upon its establishment.
He said that it will make comprehensive provision for the management and administration of the university and for related matters.
In line with legislative procedures, the bills will be sent to the Senate for concurrence and then to the President for assent to become effective.