Delta State is set to receive a federal university of agriculture as the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions conducts a public hearing on several bills aimed at establishing new educational institutions in the agricultural sector. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, was tasked by the House to review nine bills proposing the creation of new agricultural universities, colleges, and institutes across Nigeria.
One of these bills is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Ute-Okpu, Delta State to Make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters.” This bill, introduced by Hon. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, was first presented on July 13, 2023. It passed its second reading on November 10, 2023, following unanimous approval by the House members during a plenary session.
During the debate on the bill, Hon. Agbese stated, “Nations are returning to the farm to boost their economy. In our darling country, petroleum can no longer sustain us. If agriculture is the way forward, the focus should be on establishing world-class learning institutions.”
He emphasized the importance of the proposed university, saying, “The potential benefit of this proposed institution can never be overemphasized. Over 90 per cent of the people of Ute-Okpu and neighbouring communities are farmers, hence the need to promote and enlighten them and Nigerians on current best practices. The Federal University of Agriculture Ute-Okpu, Delta State, when established, will conduct education, research, and environmental monitoring and assessment in collaboration with other world-class institutions.”
In addition to the Delta State bill, the Committee will consider several other bills during the public hearing. These include:
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Fiditi, Oyo State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Ako, Nike, Enugu State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Ise, Ekiti State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Misau, Bauchi State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Agila, Benue State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture and Vocational Studies, Ako-Nike, Enugu State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish Agricultural and Energy Technical Institute, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State
– A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Oil Palm Research, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State
Following the public hearing, the committee is expected to compile its findings and submit a report to the House for further consideration.
