— Bill seeks to boost science education, skilled manpower
— Akpabio stresses sustainable funding, research and infrastructure
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Senate has held a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Science and Technology, Korokorosei, in Bayelsa State, as part of efforts to expand science education, strengthen research and address Nigeria’s skilled manpower needs.
The hearing was organised on Thursday by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South).
The proposed university is expected to expand access to science and technology education, promote indigenous research and innovation, and train skilled professionals to support industrialisation and technological advancement.
Declaring the hearing open, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the proposed institution should be assessed not only on the merits of its establishment but also on the availability of sustainable funding, adequate facilities and effective administration.
Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Ibrahim Mustapha, said Nigeria needed institutions capable of translating research into industrial production, reducing dependence on imported technologies and equipping young people with skills to compete globally.
He described human potential as the Niger Delta’s greatest resource, saying the proposed university could help address environmental degradation and develop solutions to challenges facing the region’s riverine communities.
Akpabio identified cleaner energy, environmental protection, agriculture and fisheries as areas where the institution could make significant contributions through research and innovation.
He said the university should produce graduates whose knowledge and innovations would support national development.
The Senate president cautioned, however, that expanding the number of universities should not be the sole objective of higher education policy, stressing that access must be matched by academic excellence, adequate funding and long-term sustainability.
He urged stakeholders to examine the bill critically and make recommendations that would assist the National Assembly in reaching an informed decision in the national interest.
Earlier, Dandutse said the public hearing provided an inclusive platform for stakeholders to contribute to the proposed legislation.
He said the committee would scrutinise the proposed university’s governance structure, funding arrangements, academic focus, staffing requirements, infrastructure and compliance with existing laws governing tertiary education.
The committee chairman added that particular attention would be paid to the institution’s long-term viability to ensure that, if approved, it delivered meaningful benefits to students and the country.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Benson Konbowei (Bayelsa Central), said the proposed university would help address shortages of skilled manpower, particularly in science, technology and other specialised fields.
Konbowei argued that Nigeria needed to train more professionals locally rather than rely on foreign sources to meet critical technological and industrial manpower requirements.
He said establishing the institution in the Niger Delta would give young people greater opportunities to study science-related courses and acquire skills relevant to their communities and the wider country.
The lawmaker thanked the Senate leadership and committee members for considering the proposal, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen science and technology education in the region.
Also speaking, Mr Timidi Wariowei, technical adviser to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, said Korokorosei, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, had existing infrastructure that could support the proposed university.
He listed a secondary school with several buildings, a health facility, hotels and a landing jetty among the facilities available in the riverine community.
Wariowei added that road construction towards the community was ongoing, expressing optimism that improved accessibility would support the development of the proposed institution.
He also said the state government had established technical colleges across its eight local government areas to develop practical skills in science and technology.
According to him, the proposed university could provide graduates of those colleges with opportunities for further education, advanced training and specialised knowledge.
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