The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called for increased investment in human capital development, stressing that it is essential to Nigeria’s long-term progress.
Akpabio made this known on Sunday in Abuja during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse of Katsina State.
Speaking through the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, Akpabio said Nigeria stands at a pivotal point in its developmental journey.
He stated that with the country’s population continuing to rise, investments in education and human capital must also increase.
According to him, universities focused on technology, health sciences, education, and vocational studies are crucial in training a skilled workforce capable of innovation and delivering essential services that would transform the country’s economy.
The public hearing focused on six critical bills related to tertiary education, including the establishment of the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo; Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo, Oyo State; Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State; and the amendment of the Federal University of Technology, Omoku, Rivers State.
Akpabio stressed that the inclusion of specialised institutions like the proposed University of Education (Special), Oyo and the University of Geomatics in Oyo State underscores the Senate’s intention to address specific educational and developmental needs.
He emphasised that the task before the National Assembly is not just to create these institutions but to ensure they are sustainable, adequately funded, properly governed, and structured to meet the needs of modern-day learners.
Senator Muntari Dandutse, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Funtua, noted that the rapid advancement in science and technology is redefining conventional medical practice.
He explained that the emergence of artificial intelligence and robotics in healthcare could lead to significant job losses among medical professionals if the country fails to adapt.
Dandutse said that Nigeria must urgently align with global trends by building institutions that support new-generation medical training and practices.
Also speaking at the hearing, Senator Yunus Akintunde from Oyo State, who sponsored both the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo and the Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo bills, clarified that the proposals were for upgrading existing institutions rather than starting new ones from scratch.
He explained that the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, which is the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, is being proposed for upgrade into a full-fledged university to expand access to inclusive education, especially for people living with disabilities.
Akintunde noted that there is a growing demand for special needs education in Nigeria and that the country must rise to the challenge of producing qualified and trained educators who can effectively support learners with disabilities.
He commended the current administration for showing commitment to investing in critical sectors like education and added that passing the bills would enhance access to education and reduce the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in conventional universities.
The public hearing concluded with a shared resolve by stakeholders to support legislative actions aimed at expanding and modernising Nigeria’s higher education system in line with global best practices.
