The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, that Nigeria must invest more in the development of human capital amid his growing population, currently around 227.9 million.
He spoke at the National Assembly in Abuja when the Senate Committee on Tertiary and Tetfund institutions, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse, held a public hearing on six bills to establish tertiary institutions.
Also read: Be careful with the false loan portal, Nelfund alerts students
The bills were the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo (Establishment) Bill, 2024: Project of Law of Health Sciences of the Federal University, Funtua, Katsina State (establishment), 2024; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State Law (Establishment), 2024; Bill of the Federal University of Geomatic, Oyo, State of Oyo (establishment), 2025; Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, draft Law of the State of Lagos (Establishment), 2025; and the Federal University of Technology, omoku, Rivers State (amendment) bill, 2025.
The president of the Senate was represented in the session by his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin.
He said: “Our population continues to grow, and also our investments in human capital,” and added that technology universities, health sciences, education and vocational studies were vital to prepare a workforce capable of promoting innovations in the country, as well as transforming their economic fortunes.
“The inclusion of specialized institutions such as the University of Proposal (special) Education, Oyo and the University of Geomatic highlights our intention to meet specific educational and development needs.”
According to him, the task before the Senate is to ensure that these institutions, once established, are not only sustainable but also with adequate funds to meet the dynamic needs of the 21st century student.
Speaking specifically about the bill of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State (establishment), 2024, which sponsored, president of the Committee, Senator Dandute observed that conventional or conventional medical practice was gradually eliminated, taking advantage of the progress in the opportunities of science and technology of the modern world.
He added: “And also, the advent of artificial intelligence and the use of robotics are being implemented predominantly to handle sophisticated medical practices and procedures that limit the possibilities of doctors.
“This will invariably lead to job losses in the near future.”
Munti asked that urgent measures be taken so that Nigeria aligns with this current global phenomenon of technological progress.
Also speaking, Senator Yunus Akintunde, who sponsored the Federal University of Education (Special), the Boyo 2024 Establishment Law and the Federal University of Geomatic, project of establishment law of Oyo 2024, explained that the two universities were not new but were being improved.
He said that the Federal University of Education (special), Oyo, would provide a fair, solid and robust educational system for all Nigerians, including those who live with disabilities.
“It is based on the availability of qualified and well -trained teachers to impart the required knowledge to students.
“Federal College of Education (special), Oyo is the only one of its kind in sub -Saharan Africa.
“Therefore, the need to have a university in our education sector that can satisfy people with disabilities and continuously produce well -qualified and trained teachers, as can be obtained in other developed countries cannot be emphasized too much,” he said..